The fish kill was due to a
double dose of Nokomis resi-
dent Bob Rigby's secret for-
mula that kills red tide.
Science teacher Charlie Pow-
ell found the error in math by
going back over his calcula-
tions of the ratio between
water and solution.
It's the kind of real-life
problem-solving lesson that
illustrates lbow careful he and
his students must be in carry-
ing out class experiments in
order to obtain valid baseline
data.
It was a minor glitch, said
Rigby
"Frankly, we were sur-
prised one of the fish sur-
vived," he said.
Powell is repeating the
double-dose test on another
test fish to confirm the exact,
level of dosage that proves'
fatal.
"That's not.bad news," said
Powell. "It just lets us know
that fish can take too much.
Just like you can, take too.

SUN PHOTOS BY JEFF TAVARES, jtavares@venicegondolier.com
Venice High School students Heather Mumma, left, watches as Kelsey Cober measures the
water in one of the many tanks set up to test Bob Rigby's red tide "cure" on marine life.

much vitamin A."
Students tested the correct
dose on small fish last week,
and are repeating the experi-
ments again this week. In all,
the class will perform repeti-
tive tests on each of four dif-

ferent fish and invertebrate
populations.
Heady experience
In phase one tests phyto-
plankton remained alive after
being applied with concen-

tration levels of the formula
that killed red tide.
Phase two testing involves
12 aquariums in two science
classrooms. Powell used a

Please see TIDE, 5A

Levine accused of cheating at meeting

Envision Venice participants say the Venice
Taxpayers League president left out responses he
didn't like. A

BYJJ.ANDREWS
NEWS EDITOR

' THIS SECTION 16A

Oval team
Next is the dash to the
district finals.

OUR TOWN 11B

Anti-growth groups and
city critics rolled their eyes
when the Envision Venice
program was announced,
saying it was just another way
to rubber-stamp what gov-
ernment officials already
wanted.
Among them was Herb Le-
vine, president of the Venice
Taxpayers League, though he
was quickly won over after
being invited to volunteer
several times and seeing
results that reflected what
Levine thinks most residents
want less growth, height
restrictions and increased
environmental protection of
undeveloped land.
Monday he was :told his

allegedly slanted results from
the April 6 community forum
to support his anti-growth
views.
"According to your fellow
table members, the notes did
not .include all of the com-
ments made in the discussion
that you did not agree with. ...
As a result of this impropriety,
we will be providing the par-,
ticipants at your table a sec-
ond opportunity to respond
to the questions," Planning
and Zoning Director Tom
Slaughter wrote in his April 11
letter.to Levine.
Surprised and angry
The letter and accusation
angered Levine, who suggests
some development support-
ers are trying, to set him up
because the Envision Venice

developments.
These restdts are supposed
to shape the city's updated
comprehensive plan. a state-,
mandated document that
outlines the city's future look
and what types of develop-
ments are allowed.
Levine says city-staffasked
him to volunteer last week,
when the topic focused on
future land use- and new
developments, and if any
comments were left out of his
notes, it was because he
could not keep up. Planning
Commission chair John
Osmulski continually rushed
him and other table discus-'
sion groups, Levine said.
"I think they are petrified
to put what they've seen into
the next comprehensive
plan," Levine said. "They're
scared to death of what's
come out. It's nothing more
than what I've been preach-
ing and our group has been
preaching about for years."
Slaiighter wa s out of town

with Osmulski. Comprehen-
sive planner Kathie Ebaugh,
director of the Envision Ven-
ice process, deferred ques-
tions to City Manager Marty
Black.
Levine spoke with Black on
Wednesday, and the city
... manager has
agreed to
speak .with
the three resi-
dents who
complained
! i about Levine.

re vie w
Slaugh tere 's
Levine letter before it
was sent out.
When his planning director
asked for advice, Black told
Slaughter the incident needs
to be documented, the city
manager said in an interview.
"It's fair to sit down and
talk to them all about this,"
Black said. "It is unusual to
have people come forward
and Snpeak nn about the facili-

"It's long due for the
mayor or whoever has
to do this to abolish
the planning commis-
sion and start another
one." Herb Levine

ment their concerns."
Slanting results
Levine continues to sing
the praise of Envision Venice,
saying that if a city staffer
attempted a program like this
several years ago, "He'd have
been strung up."
.Last week was, however,
the first tine Levine felt as if
Venice's presentations were
slanted in favor of higher
density, more growth and
taller buildings.
Levine wasn't die only one.
The pnice Gon-dolier Sun has

volunteer efforts are no results show most residents ..- ~." ciU Len l ...Il-
longer needed because he: want to slow growth and new and could not be reached for tator (Lexine's roles ... I felt
Comment. A message was left like the city needed to docu- Please,see ACCUSED, 5A

Holding onto and drawing in younger residents
is just good policy, according to some on city
council.

BYJJ. ANDREWS
NEWS EDITOR .

Twenty years from now,
Venice needs to have at least
two other industrial-based
employers similar to PGT
Industries, more workforce
housing and recreational
amenities teenagers would
want to hang out at.
Ignoring this could be dis-
astrous in a city where the
average age already, is 68
years old, according to coun-
cil member Fred Hammett.
Surveys by city planners
show very few Venice teens'
plan to stick around after high
school. Their perception is

the community ignores the
needs of young people, so
they most likely will not
return until retirement.
"To have that attitude is
not healthy," Hammett said.
"With that attitude, we'll turn
into a border-to-border nurs-
ing home, and that is not
healthy for the community."
Hammett and his fellow
council members gathered
with charter officers for the
first of two day-long strategic
planning sessions Thursday.
The meeting recapped ac-
complishments this past year
while looking at council
members' goals in the next
one, five and 20 years.

Hammett's comments
were the strongest, but sever-
al. council members agreed
with him. Council member
Rick Tacy pointed out how
Venice is, basically, getting 10-
year. residents because the
average life expectancy age is
about 78 years old.
This will become even
more important in five years,
which is when both council.
and city staff expect develop-
ment to all but cease because
there's no land left. City re-
ports state that 2004 saw the
largest amount of construc-
tion activity in the history of
Venice, bringing in $3 million
in construction and building,
permit fees.
Within five years, expect to
see.that high of more than 800

.... l l ....^^ t'. ., e. ,.. ..
SUI. PHOTO BN JJ. AHDREWS
Council members and charter officers fill out work sheets
about Venice's top priorities from consultant Lyle Sumek,
right, during the annual strategic planning workshop.
Pictured from left to right are City Manager Marty Black, Vice
Mayor John Moore and council members Fred Hammett, Bill
Willson and John Simrmonds (not shown),

ALSO IN HMe MM

. 12B CLASSIFIED
5B COUPONS
6B WHEELS
3B
4B

LI,?'
h
"waw,

k

ON

Lots for schools concept approved by commissioners

The county agrees lot sales in North Port
should benefit school system in that area;
the city hasn't considered the request yet:

BY WARREN RICHARDSON
SARASOTA COUNTY EDITOR

When it comes to acquiring
land for future school sites in
North Port, the county school
board just came into a wad of
cash for that purpose.
By a unanimous vote Wed-
nesday, Sarasota County com-
missioners directed staff to
prepare an interlocal .agree-
ment between the county and
the school system that will
deed 20 to 40 lots to the school
board and provide up to $5
million from the sale of other
tax delinquent lots in North
Port. .
"It's a great idea," said com-
missioner Jon. Thaxton. "I al-
ways said I wanted to use the
lots to contribute back to
North Port."
But Thaxton said he did
not want to see the school
board using the funds to
acquire lots in areas newly
annexed to the city.
School Superintendent
Gary, Norris said that restric-
tion was, "perfectly accept-
able" to him.
Norris had made the pro-,
posal after the school system
looked at North Port's future
growth and determined that
the city will need three new
elementary schools, a new,
middle school and a new high
school.
The school system is al-
ready in the process of
acquiring 110 lots near
Atwater Street for the fifth
elementary school in the city,
and has found that land
costs have "multiplied eight
to 10 times in less than three
years," according to Norris.
North Port has not yet
acted on the request from the
school board..

No secrets
In a separate action, com-
missioners also unanimously
approved the transfer of
$800,000 from the county's
general fund to a special fund
created for the lot sales. This
money will be used to pay
for appraisal costs and other
costs associated with the sale
of the lots.
The two votes on Wednes-
day came as commissioners
heard a presentation from
county staff members re-
garding the details of the
process of disposing of the
2,200 lots acquired by the
county in North Port when
the owners failed to pay
taxes on them.
County staff has been-
working with a team from
North Port to develop a proc-:
ess to sell the lots, which
Deputy County Administrator
Dave Bullock characterized as
a very open process. -
"We have no secrets from
each other. All of our work is.
open," Bullock said.
Appraisal work to establish
the value of the lots is already
under way by the firm of,
Hettema, Saba & Walch and
should be completed by April
29, Community Development
Manager Larry Arnold told
the board.
By the end of this week or
early next week, the team,
expects to issue a request for
qualifications from compa-
nies that specialize in the land
sales of this magnitude. Se-
lection of the firm or firms to
assist the county and city in
the disposal of the lots, will
come in June.
One of the requirements of
selection, Arnold assured
commissioners, was that the
firm have a presence in North

CLEANING DEVICES
Many toothbrushes have rubber tips on the end of the handle to
stimulate the gum tissue between the tooth. The pointed tip slips
between the teeth and massages the gum by a rotary or jigging action.
If the gums are puffy or enlarged, the stimulation provided by these
devices can return them to normal once the underlying cause such as
tartar deposits, is removed. Remember that if it hurts stop doing it.
Toothpicks push large food particles from the teeth, but they are
generally not as effective as dental floss. Care must be used to avoid
I damage. Toothpicks of soft orangewood are available to massage the
gum as well as to clean the teeth. Chewing on toothpicks can
traumatize and loosen tooth creating gum pockets and problem areas.
Tiny brushes are available that look like little bottle brushes and are
small enough to slip between the teeth. The bristles of these brushes
can clean areas likely to be missed by floss and interdental
stimulators. Remember that clean teeth are healthier teeth.

Port.;
Hot A.arket
The actual sale of the lots
could begin as early as No-
vember, depending on what
method the team selects to
conduct the sale process,
such as sealed bid or open
auction.
Owners of properties that
adjoin the lots will be notified
by mail when the sale date is
scheduled. Although the task
force had discussed giving
those property owners the
first chance to submit bids,
state law doesn't permit that
kind of preferential treat-

Taking ir

BYGERALD A. ROGOVIN
CORRESPONDENT

Five and one-half years
after a -proposal to revitalize
Osprey Village's commercial
center as part of the overall
plan for the community, a
group of property owners on
Washington Avenue remains
hopeful that the project will
soon get under way.
VWorking with an indepen-
dent planner, the group has
put together its version of the
Osprey Overlay District.
Intended to be part of the
Osprey Re\italization Plan, it
would create a main street
environment, on about 21
acres along Washington Ave-
nue north of Bay Street.
Washington Avenue runs par-
allel to U.S. 41 on the east side
of the highway.
A petition to rezone seeks
limited commercial and office
uses, art galleries and studios,
professional suites, beds-and-
breakfasts and businesses in
,private homes. Such activities
are] now prohibited.
The proposed district
would resemble the urbanistt"
shopping village approved by

ment, Arnold said.
Because of the public
interest in the sale of the lots,
staff from the city and county
are also proposing the cre-
ation of a link on the county's
and city's Web sites that will
allow residents to track the
sales and provide informa-
tion about the lots. This infor-
mation could include parcel
numbers and the market val-
ues once the appraisal work
has been completed.'
Habitat for Humanity has
also requested the donation
of 50 lots each from the city
and county to use for the con-
struction of affordable hous-

ing. Commissioners decided
on Tuesday that they would
defer this request to North
Port and follow whatever
course of action the city com-
mission chose to take.
"It's their city and I think
we should follow their lead,"
said commissioner Shannon
Staub.
The county has acquired
the lots since 1992 after the
owners failed to pay taxes on
them. With the county not
taking action to dispose of
them, city officials filed suit
against the county last year
to acquire title to the prop-
erty. The two boards met in a

mediation session in early"
December And reached,
agreement on the broad out-
lines of a settlement. County
commissioners approved
that agreement on Feb. 22i
followed by. North Port on-
March 28.
Because of Sarasota Coun:
ty's hot real estate markets,,
property appraisers have estiw*
mated the county and city,-
could reap profits of $20 mil-.
lion to $40 million from, the,
sale of the lots.

You can e-mail Warren
Richardson at: wrichardson@.
sun-herald.com.

matters into their own hands !

Sarasota County last month
on the south side of Bay Street.
It will also include shops and
offices on the street level and
residential units on the upper
story.
Centered by the proposed
Osprey Public Library, the
shops and 532 townhouses
and condominiums will be
located on a 39-acre tract
bounded by Old Venice Road,
Bay Street and U.S. 41. AWal-
Mart SuperCenter is under
construction just to the south
and west on the highway.
Unanswered questions
County planners withdrew
the petition to rezone the dis-
trict after three contentious
meetings with residents in
September 2004. A public
hearing scheduled the next
month was postponed indefi-
nitely.
As Bunny Minnock, owner
of a vacant lot that runs from
U.S. 41 to Washington Ave-
nue, remembers it, ."There
wer6 too many unanswered
questions in our discussions
with the county. Too many
existing buildings would have
been nonconforming. The

impact on Washington Ave-
nue would have been huge."
County Senior- Planner
Crystal Allred and Judith
Johnson, chairwoman of the
Osprey Revitalization Com-
mittee, both recall that confu-
sion and concern grew as
county staff prepared for a
hearing on the petition before
the county commission. Plans
of the Florida Department of
Transportation to 'limit and
close some medians on U.S.
41 as traffic-calming measures
complicated the situation.
They created more misunder-
standing.
More than a wish list
Alan Garrett, an indepen-
dent planner who was the
county's manager of planning,
was retained by the Wash-
ington Avenue group to refine
a proposal.
"Our approach is more
than a wish list," he said,
"Osprey residents now realize
that Sarasotans, who thought
that the- old Sarasota Square
Mall was as far south as you
could go to shop are getting
up-to-date. They now .know
that a Wal-Mart SuperCenter

and the Bay Street Shopping,
Village will be in business by,
the end of 2005. They will
draw shoppers, and those ir)
the Overlay District want tQ
be ready."
Existing buildings in thy,
proposed district would b%.
modified or expanded to ac-
commodate the proposed,
uses. .
But theywould retain a res--
idential character, style and,.
appearance. An outdoor.
farmers market, limited to,
two consecutive days a week.
is being considered. b
A maximum of 13 units per,
acre for homes is part of the.
proposal. Maxium height,,
when an upper story is in-
stalled, will go no higher than,
45 feet.
Approval of their proposal
by the revitalization commit-
-tee is considered vital by the:.
group. :_
After that, they hope the
county will schedule public
workshops to encourage,
suggestions ,by neighbors.,
These should lead to public,
hearings on the rezoning,
petition before- the end of
2005.

Ewing Funeral Home will be joining the migration
of Tampa and Miami avenue businesses
to East Venice Avenue within the next year.

BY ROGER BUTTON
BUSINEWS COLUMNIST

A familiar landmark sign is
scheduled to disappear from
the downtown vista within 12
months when Ewing Funeral
Home moves from Venice
. Avenue into a new location on
the south side of East Venice
Avenue, west of Auburn Road.
George Kalbfleisch con-
firmed this week the 1-acre
location of the family funeral
business has been acquired by
the Waterford Companies.
Tom Ewing opened Ewing
Funeral Home in 1969, oper-
ating it for six years before
selling to Kalbfleisch and
three partners. Over the years
Kalbfleisch's original partners
have either retired or moved
on:
'The business has grown
and prospered with 15-year
associate James "Eric" Swope
and eight-year colleague Rick
Himm, all licensed funeral
directors.
."I came over here to check
onl doing some part-time
work for a few dollars, dress-
ed, shabbily, thinking I was
going to do some mainte-
nantce. It just looked exciting
particularly, as the owner at
the time was only 26 years
old. Starting as a general
worker I washed cars every
day, whether they needed it
or hot," said Kalbfleisch.
It was the early '70s, the
town was only 3,000-4,000
people, and for two years

Ewing operated the ambu-
lance service for South
County. Kalbfleisch partici-
pated, recalling back then
they were not medics, just
trained to the best they could.
The garage was turned into
a dormitory and employees
were on call night and day.
Doing transport, mostly it
was pretty wild as they cov-
ered the area from Blackburn
Point Road to the northern
end of Manasota Key. One
ambulance ran with the first
crew and there were two or
three back-up vehicles.
Kalbfleisch has been there
for 34 years and intends to
carry on for a few more years
as he is very involved in the
daily operation. The company
employs four full-timers, three
part-timers and a weekend
secretary.
Within the 6,300-square-
foot funeral home there is a
chapel seating 100, together
with smaller side rooms. The
large casket room has 15
designs on display, but the.
trend is towards cremation,
which Kalbfleisch says has
probably grown from 25 per-
cent to more than 75 percent
in preference to burial. Ulti-
mately these rooms will
change to at least 50 percent
crematory items.
Another trend is to rent a
casket for a funeral, at proba-
bly 20 percent of the cost
compared to purchasing. The
body is removed afterwards,
the interior replaced and the

SUN PHOTO BY JEFF TAVARES, jtavares@venicegondolier.com
Ewing Funeral Home has reportedly sold its Venice Avenue location next to the bridge to Waterford Companies, which is building
the Waterfront on Venice Island. Its new location will be west of Auburn Road on East Venice Avenue.

body cremated in a simple
container.
"We're just growing with
the city of Venice, and our
new exposure will be 90 per-
cent better on the gateway to
Venice. Looking back, it was
little quieter here, and with
none of these palm trees you
could see this place a little
better," commented Kalbfle-
isch.
He anticipates they proba-
bly will be in the new home in
the summer of 2006. The
appearance will be according
to Venice Gateway standards,

while the interior will be
similar to the existing facility,
with perhaps a .few small
changes. A Northern Italian
portico is planned, where
people can gather before,
during and after services just
as they do on the island. The
overall size will be 6,000
square feet plus the porch
and parking facilities.
The move is planned for
out of season, although busi-
ness does not fluctuate up-
wards during season as dra-
matically as it used to do,
according to Kalbfleisch.

He does not think as many
people go back home as they
used to do. Consequently, a
lot of people who would have
been flown back home now
only have their ashes sent or
they are buried here, because
this has become home for
many people who live here as
long as they did in their last
hometown.
Kalbfleisch is very excited
about the new building, but
has not decided whether the
company symbol, the land-
mark clock, would be repli-
cated 'in an appropriate

architectural design at the
new home. He insists, "One
thing I want is to have them
call me the day this building
is coming down so I can
watch. It will probably bring
tears to my eyes as I have
known nothing else for 34
years."
Waterford vice -president
Tim Miller confirmed, the
company had acquired the
Ewing property and in future
development would combine
it with activities across the
street, where it will have
restaurants and shops.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

"City of Venice meeting
ties, dates and locations are
subject to change. If you are
disaLfed aicd'hed assistance,
please contact the city clerk's
office at least 24' hours prior
to the meeting by calling
486-2626.
: lany of these meetings
p4st their agendas online at
www.venicegov.com under

the public meetings link.
APRIL
April 18
* Parks and Recreation Ad- '
visory Board, 3 p.m., council
chambers, city hall
April 19
* Planning Commission, 1:30
p.m., council chambers, city
hall

The county snoozed and lost the chance to buy
Marina at the Landings and Phillippi Shores
Marina, and voted not to try to condemn them.

BYJACKGURNEY
PELICAN PRESS

When Sarasota County
hesitated to pay two Phillippi
Creek marina owners a fair
market price for side-by-side
waterfront sites so they could
be converted into a public
boat launching facility, it took
the chance that someone else
might come along and snatch
them. And someone did.
On Tuesday, the county
commission grappled with
the fact that Sarasota attorney
Stephen Voight Jr. has signed
an $8.4 million contract to
buy Marina at the Landings
and Phillippi Shores Marina
out from under their noses,
and end a two-year effort to
acquire them.

"It appears the properties
are now under contract for
more than we offered," Com-
missioner Nora Patterson
said. "I respect private prop-
erty rights, but the need for
public boat launch facilities is
such that I think we should
take them through condem-
nation."
When her motion failed 4-
1, Patterson persuaded the
commission to do the next
best thing: It will look for
other opportunities. But giv-
en the recent escalation of
real, estate prices, especially
along the coast, the lost
opportunity will be hard to
overcome.
"There are a lot of different
reasons this happened," said
Phillippi Shores,Marina own-

er Howard Lutz. "Time was
one of them. The county ex-
pressed interest in 2002,
made a low offer, and then a
low counter-offer. Then we
didn't hear anything for a
year."
Too little, too late
On Feb. 22, when the
county commission finally
allocated up to $7 million for
purchase of the two sites, it
was already too late.
By then, local investors
had measured the highly
competitive real estate mar-
ket and were prepared to pay
more.
'A county employee asked
if the difference could be
made up by naming the facil-
ity after my family," Lutz said.
"What happened is a culmi-
nation of things, and we now
have a backup offer for more
money if this contract falls
through. The county is aware

of all this."
The marinas are located at
1780 and 1810 Phillippi
Shores Drive. Both have
ramps for customers who
launch recreational boats
into Phillippi Creek, which
was recently dredged by the
county and empties into the
nearby Intracoastal Water-
way.
How the county's failed bid
to buy the sites unfolded is a
little hazy.
According to the marina
owners, they initially received
verbal offers of $3.1 million
that were withdrawn after the
county ordered appraisals.
Then $1.75 million written
offers were submitted.
The two marina sites total
3.58 acres on the north shore
of Phillippi Creek and west of
U.S. 41. Parking for vehicles
and trailers would have been
available if existing dry-stor-
age structures were removed.

A county park near the sites
could have been used for
overflow parking.
"I tried to convince county
parks officials to build boat
ramps across the creek from
us at Phillippi Estate Park,
where there is plenty of room
for parking," Lutz said. "The
'county already owns the land
and there is a traffic light at
the entrance."
Last resort
Commissioner David Mills
made a similar suggestion
after Patterson's motion to
condemn the two marina
sites was rejected.
"I'd like to know if there are
any covenants that would
preclude that," he said, "and
review other possibilities."
But Patterson made it clear
she would oppose boat
ramps next to the Phillippi
Estate.
"I watched the city of

Sarasota buy Centennial Park
for green space and turn it a
parking lot with boat ramps,"
she said. "I don't want to start
that ball rolling."
When County Attorney
Steve DeMarsh was asked
about the legalities of con-
demnation, he saw "no rea-
son" it couldn't be done.
"I presume we'd go
through the steps, file suit
and order appraisals," he
said. "The owners might ob-
ject, and then we'd have to
show a public purpose."
Commissioner Jon Thax-
ton agreed the time for the
county to buy waterfront
property and build more
public boat ramps is now,
before land costs go up even
more.
"But I disagree with con-
demnation," he said. "It is a
gift the public gives to govern-
ments for use only as a last
resort."

Youth soccer makes
pitch for lime pits
Venice Area Youth Soccer
Association has tossed its hat
into the ring for the use of,2.8
acres of lime' pits, once the
city finishes cleaning them
up.
How about some more
soccer fields?
Venice -is reclaiming the
fenced-off land to cover pen-
alties imposed by the Florida
Department of Environ-
mental Protection for waste-
water treatment plant viola-
tions. The lime byproduct
material, a result of the old
method for cleaning drinking
water, will be removed.
City Manager Marty Black
said a decision has not been
reached on the area's future

Let the Venice Gondolier Sun
C lassifieds work for you

use. The nearly 3 acres of
vacant land is next to Wellfield
Park and youth sports fields.
"We now have reached
programming capacity on
current field space and would
like to stay on top of this huge
demand for the area's young
athletes," wrote Joseph Fer-
retti, president of VAYSA, to
Black.
The more than 3 acres of
land could be used for utilities
department expansion or
converted into recreational
and park uses, Black said in a
previous interview.
Ferretti states that VAYSA
has more than 600 youth
players and expects a 35 per-
cent increase this fall.
Any decision on the land's
future use must be approved
by city council.
Airport wrong spot
for new habitats
Creation of new Florida
scrub jay habitats at Venice

Municipal Airport is counter
to "responsible and prudent
practices," Airport Manager
Fred Watts wrote in a re-
sponse letter to Venice Area
Audubon Society.
About a month ago, Au-
dubon'Society President Dan
Kixmiller wrote the city and
asked for support to create a
nfew, established habitat area
on some or all of the 125
vacant acres of airport prop-
erty.
At. the next Airport Advis-
ory Board meeting, board
members and Watts dis-
cussed the letter and how
Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration regulations discour-
age this type of action be-
cause it is a risk to planes try-
ing to land and take off, Watts
explained.
"Birds and animals on or
near runways are typically
not able to anticipate and
avoid aircraft or their engines,

especially at the speeds air-
craft move during takeoff and
landing phase of flight," Watts
wrote in his April 6 letter to
Kixmiller.
"Even birds that fly only 10
to 15 feet above the ground
(scrub jays) are vulnerable.
Aircraft are especially vulner-
able during the takeoff and
landing."
Watts also wrote that state
and federal aviation money
has the stipulation that "all
airports minimize any and all
land uses which attract wild-
life."
For years city officials have
debated whether or not to use
the 125 acres for a future busi-
ness park in order to raise
money for Venice Municipal
Airport. Those plans, howev-
er, remain in the information-
,gathering phase.

Compiled by News
Editor 7.J. Andrews

Commissioners approve

environmental land purchase

BYWARREN RICHARDSON
SARASOTA COUNTY EDITOR

Without comment, Sara-
sota County commissioners
unanimously approved the
acquisition of additional en-
vironmentally sensitive land
between Englewood andVen-
ice during their meeting on
Tuesday.
The county will pay
Charles Early III and Mary
Early Swain $1.9 million for
the 21.1 acre property alpng
the Intracoastal Waterway
north of Manasota Beach
Road. '
The site is worthy of pro-
tection, according to county
staff, because of the presence
bf scrub and upland habitats
for Florida scrub jays, bald
eagles, gopher tortoises and
rare plant species.

Center Road work to start
A project to widen Center
Road from Jacaranda Boul-
evard to River Road will begin
early this fall.
Jim Harriott, general man-
ager of mobility for the coun-
ty's Public Works department,
gave commissioners the an-
ticipated schedule for the
project Tuesday after com-
missioner Shannon Staub
pulled an item regarding the
project off the consent agen-
da.
The estimated $18 million
project will widen the road
from two to four lanes.
Harriott said commissioners
should be in a position to
award a construction con-
tract for the project in late
July, and that it typically takes
a contractor 30 to-60 days to
mobilize for a project. .

County to honor
election workers
Sarasota County Super-
visor of Elections Kathy
Dent will host Poll Worker
Appreciation Night at Ed
Smith Stadium Thursday,
April 21.
Poll workers may pick up
tickets at the supervisor's
office in the Terrace Building,
101 S. Washington Blvd., at
"will call" the night of the
'game, or by contacting Poll
,Worker Coordinator Pam Cu-
trone, at 861-8640.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and
'the game begins at 7 p.m.
The Sarasota Reds will play
,the Clearwater Threshers.
Annual poll worker appre-
ciation events are staged to

thank and to honor the hun-
dreds of citizens who do such
a wonderful job of serving
Sarasota County's more than
246,000 registered voters on
Election Day.
9-1-1 center
holds open house
To mark National Public
Safety Telecommunications
Week, the 9-1-1/ Public Safety
Communications Center will
hold an open house from 10
a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April
16, at the Sarasota County
Administration Center, 1660
Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
The open house will fea-
ture tours, refreshments,
hands-on public safety dem-
onstrations and more.
National Public Safety

.Telecommunications Week,
celebrated April 10-16, hon-
ors first responders who serve
as the front line in processing
calls for help and assisting
emergency units.
For additional informa-
tion,-call (941) 861-5000.
Health department
celebrates volunteers
The Sarasota County
Health Department is recog-
nizing its volunteers who are
changing lives and strength-
ening the community during
April, which is designated as
Florida Volunteer Month.
Currently, the health de-
partment has 50 volunteers
and interns serving in a vari-
ety of medical and clinical
support roles. These individ-

uals strengthen the delivery
of quality health services,
which contributes to the sav-
ing of taxpayer dollars.
The contributions of vol-
unteers and student interns
will be acknowledged at a
special recognition event on
Friday, April 22.
The health department is
continually recruiting volun-
teers and student interns
who can share their time
and talent and have a desire
to be part of a quality organi-
zation.
Volunteer positions are
available as Spanish language
interpreters, licensed physi-
cians and nurses and clerical
support.
For more information,
contact Pat Jaffe at 861-2717.

ACCUSED from page 1A
'received several complaints Still, Levine said if anyone "(Envision Venice) is the "It's long due for the mayor
,by people not associated was trying to slant results best thing that has ever hap- or whoever has to do this to
'with Levine who feel the from last week's meetings, it opened, so what is going on?" abolish the planning com-
same way. was Osmulski, "who went on Levine said. "(Osmulski) mission and start another
- When asked about that, a 30-45 minute tirade on the doesn't realize-it was Envision one. ... The planning com-
Black said Levine has been goodness of growth using the Venice. He .thought it was, mission needs to resemble
the only person making that same old rhetoric from the 'You will take our vision of the population here, not the
accusation. growth benefit myths list." Venice.' growth."

TIDE from page 1A

COUNCIL from page 1A
building permit requests to
drop back down to around 200.
"You're running a sprint
right now, not a marathon, for
your staff," professional con-
sultant Lyle Sumek told them.
"Where do you go from here?"
Looking back
Today wiHl be when council
members and charter officers
hammer outVenice's strategic
plan broken into one-, five-
and 20-year increments. Each
part will outline policy chang-
es and future projects.
Most of Thursday was
spent reviewing the past year,
and then gathering opinions
of individual council mem-
bers on the future.
Here's a brief recap of ac-
complishments during the
past year, according to coun-
cil members:
Beach/park improve-
ments Funding for beach
renourishment, completion
of Venice Fishing Pier replace-
ment and creation of new
beach park and Foundation
Park.
Hurricane planning -
Response and preparedness
was strong during storm
threats.
Utilities Privatizing
management of wastewater
plant, resolution of Florida
Department of Environ-

mental Protection civil law-
suit and pending settlement
of criminal investigation by
Environmental Protection
Agency.
City redirection Hiring
Marty Black to replace George
Hunt as city manager; more
accountability for staff and
increased training.
Sarasota County Im-
proved relations in the form
of interlocal agreements on
fire/EMT services, wat-
er/wastewater sharing and
joint planning of Seaboard
Avenue/U.S. 41 Bypass rede-
velopment.
Venice's future New
height ordinance, architec-
tural overlay district on U.S.
41 Business and plan for
Interstate 75/Laurel Road
area.
Open city government -
Envision Venice process,
upgraded Web site, improved
media relations and better
communication between
staff with mayor and council.
Today's meeting is from
8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at
Village On The Isles. This is an
open workshop; however, the
public cannot participate or
offer comment. Any official
action must be approved at a
regular city council meeting.

You can e-mail].].
Andrews at: jandrews
@venicegondoliercom.

-second $1,000 grant ap-
proved by the city of Venice
-three weeks ago the only
outside funding to support
-the project to purchase
tanks, equipment and sup-
.plies.
Students add municipal
.-tap water, salt and a water
conditioner called Navaqua
that removes copper and
*other .contaminants to the
-tanks. They then measure the
water tank's volume by multi-
-plying its length, width and
water height to the centime-
,ter. The calculations are used
ato provide a predetermined
ratio of solution to water.
"Your fish is gonna die. You
,need to add more tap water.
-There's too much salt,"
Swarned-Ruben Pinto, a senior,
as he tested a fellow student's
tank for salinity. With that
finding, the tank was pulled
from the day's experiment.
Wearing goggles and a lab
--

coat, students like junior
Kelsey Cober took turns
applying the mystery solution
containing the red tide cure
- a heady experience con-
sidering only a few people
know the secret solution's
content.
The fish that live will be put
back into the larger central
tank for future testing.
Sofar...
Over the next few days
teams of students will docu-
ment their observations on
each of the fish.
"We kick back and watch
the.fish's behavior for a week.
We're looking for odd behav-
ior if they go up and down,
any kind of repetitive action,
or wiggle or go crazy" Pinto
said.
The red tide cure is being
tested on fish less than 2 inch-
es long presently, including
three species of store bought

Damsels (Yellow Tails, Blues,
and Dominos).
So far, all three species
have survived initial tests
using an amount of solution
known to kill red tide cells.
"Two of the fish have been
alive for three weeks of testing
now, yet they are still healthy,"
said Powell.
"From the evidence we've
seen so far, we know the con-
centration level that is annihi-
lating the red tide did not
harm the fish," he said.
Next week students will
perform the same tests on
EPA-approved tiny fry to see
how they withstand the for-
.mula.
"If the other organisms
show no signs of ill effects
from the formula, then Mr.
Rigby's formula may be a
potential answer to our red
tide problems," said Powell.
Not only does the formula
work at killing red tide, said

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Powell after Phase I testing,
but it is effective in low doses.
The stakes are high.
Karenia brevis, the dinoflagel-
late that causes red tide, is an
algal bloom that kills fish and
other marine life including
manatees, causes respiratory
stress in people and can make
Florida beaches unpleasant.
Rigby has a patent pending
on the formula and a separate
one for its application mecha-
nism.
Phase II testing isn't ex-
pected to be complete by the
end of the school year. Sci-
ence teachers Powell and Dan
Kelly plan to finish testing
over the summer. They will
present their findings to city
council upon completion.
You can e-mail Greg Giles
at: ggiles
@venicegondoliercom.

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Lady Indians top Sarasota
The Venice High varsity
softball team squeaked out
another close one Wednesday
night at Sarasota High, win-
ning 2-0 behind the two-hit
pitching of Heather Laird.
Venice improved its record
to 18-3 with the the nondis-
trict win.
Laird upped her pitching
record to 11-0 on the season.
The hitting standouts were
Mer Davidson and Megan
Watson, who had two-hits
apiece.
The varsity plays host to
Naples at 7 p.m. Friday.
The VHS junior varsity beat
Manatee, 4-3, to run its record
to 17-1. The winning pitcher
was Amanda Harvey. She also
had a triple, as did Cory Jones.
Girls tennis loses
to Charlotte High
The Venice High girls ten-
nis team dropped its third
match of the season, losing
5-2 to visiting Charlotte High
on Tuesday.
Venice's wins came at No.
3 and No. 5 singles. Ashley
Grozier won at No. 3, coming
from behind to topple Jayme
Kaplan, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3. Ashley
Lane won at No. 5, also com-
ing from behind. She lost her
first set 6-1, but came back to
rock Rose Padua, 6-4, 6-3.
Rachel Rossi lost to Chel-
sea Kahle at No. 1. Elisabeth
Diamond fell at No. 2 to Jackie
Faulk. Marta Kowalik lost in
two straight to Della Vemsey
at No. 4 singles.
Venice also lost both dou-
bles matches. Rossi and Ko-
walik fell at No. 1 and Lane
and Diamond at No. 2.
Senior Friendship Centers
75s sweep up the Sox
The Senior Friendship
Centers 75 plus softball team
is showing no sign of slowing
down, as it swept a double-
header from the Clearwater
White Sox, 14-2 and 16-3.
The "Boys of Spring" had
their hitting shoes on for both
games, hammering 19 hits in
the first and 22 in the second.
In the opener, Guy "Rook-.
ie" Brigida led SFC going 3-
for-3 with two doubles. Walt
Wacha, Paul Drexler, Dave
"Da Wabbit" Moore, Bob.
Markley and Bill Casey had
two hits apiece. In game two,
it was more of the same.
Spanky Thompson was 4-for-
4 and Wacha and Honker
Ronketty were each 3-for-4.
The Honker had four RBIs.
Both the Senior Friendship
Centers 75 plus and 80 plus
teams will be playing in St.
Petersburg next week.
Free fishing seminars
Boater's World Marine
Center has free seminars lined
up for later this month and
throughout May.
On April 21 at 7 p.m., Joe
Camacho will talk about night
time snook and tarpon fishing.
On April 28 at 7 p.m., Rick
Grassett will discus reading
the water on the flats.
Boater's World Marine
Center is located in the Bird
Bay Plaza. For more informa-
tion, call 412-0310.
VENICE VIKINGS 2005 RESULTS
JAN.22 B GLADIATORS 21-27 OT
29 at St. Pete Sharks L 0-66
FEB. 5 CCFEAR L 20-23
12 DB REAPERS L 12-36
19 at Port St. Lucie Fire L 7-20
26 at Cape Coral FearL 14-20 OT
MAR. 5 ST. PETE SHARKS L 0-47
12 POLK WAR EAGLES ., W 26-8
19 at Miami Bulls L6-55
26 at B Gladiators W 13-12
APR. 9 at Miami Bulls L 15-38
Home games in CAPS
SOUTHERN STATES FOOTBALL
LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
FIRST ROUND
April 9
Miami Bulls 38, Venice Vikings 15
St. Pete Sharks 87, Polk War Eagles 0
Delray Beach Reapers 56, Cape Fear 0
St. Lucie Fire 17, Bradenton Gladiators
14
Florida Barracudas 34, Rams 14
Gainesville Thunder 41, Orlando Rage
21
First Coast Generals 2, Hornets 0
Hernando Eagles 2, Wolfpack 0

The difference between finishing third and
fourth in a track meet might not sound like
much, but in a nine-team field, it's either
placing in the upper third, or in the middle
three.
Venice High girls coach Brenda Clark
would like to think she has one of the better
teams around.
That's why she was tickled pink with a
third-place finish in Thursday's 33rd annual
Ram Invitational at Riverview High.
Clark knows her team is not as deep as
Sarasota or Riverview, who finished 1-2 in
team points Thursday, but beating out
Lakewood Ranch for third was certainly
nice.
"It was a good track meet for us," Clark
said. "We battled back to catch Lakewood
Ranch. I'll take third any time."
It came down to the final event the 4
by 400 relay. Venice, with Lisa Marie lorio,
Carla Valor, Stephanie Korszen and Sarah
Ellis took a second. Ranch was fourth.
Sarasota had 122 team points. Riverview
was next at 110. Venice's 100 just shaded
Ranch's 96.
Individually, senior Vickie Mitchell had a
great day, registering her first win of the
season in the 100 meters. She ran a 12.40.
Her best ever is 12.2.
Mitchell took thirds in the 200 (26.38)
and the shot put (36-4), seventh in the discus
and ran a leg of the 4 by 100 that placed
third.
The girls 4 by 800 once again finished first.
The time was 10:29. Korszen, Genna Jones,
Katie Adams and Chelsea Rose were the
runners.
The freshman Rose had another grand

SUN PHOTO BY JEFF TAVARES, jtavares@venicegondolier.com
VHS junior Scott Nelson competes in the pole vault at a track meet Thursday at Riverview High School in
Sarasota.

day. She was third in the 1600
(5:40.30) and fourth in the 100 hur-
dles (17.25).
Valor was third in the 400 with a

time of 1:30.14. Jessica Enander had
a third in the high jump at 4-8.
Courtney Tomlin placed third in the
pole vault at 7 feet. Korszen ran a

Holly Martin to shine at Warner Southern

BY CLAUDE LEWIS
SPORTS EDITOR

Venice High girls soccer
standout Holly Martin has
signed a scholarship to con-
tinue her playing career at
Warner Southern College in
Lake Wales.
Martin recently completed
her senior season playing for
the Lady Indian varsity team.
She was a jack-of-all-trades,
playing goalkeeper and for-
ward.
Martin showed great
quickness and athleticism,
making her a tough compe-
titor wherever coach Allen
Pfundtner put her on the
pitch. ,
Warner Southern coach
Gustavo Campos plans to

use Martin at keeper. She said
she will start in the fall of
2005.
"I'm short for 'a keeper,
but I can jump, very high,"
said Martin. "I'm excited to
have the opportunity."
Martin grew up playing in
the Venice Area Youth Soccer
Association. She attended
Booker High for three years
because ,of curriculum
choice.
"I went to their environ-
ment science academy," she
said. "I live in Venice and
!wanted to go to school close
to home my senior year."
Martin played varsity three
years' at Booker. She played
keeper and sweeper.
Martin was also a cheer-
leader at Booker and Venice

Soccer trifecta -

BY CLAUDE LEWIS
SPORTS EDITOR

-Together, they came to-
gether to anchor the best
two-season run ever in boys
soccer at Venice High.
While the trio will be leav-
ing the halls of VHS in five
weeks, they have lots ofmem-
ories.
As juniors, Paul Siegel, Eric
Monville and Erich Hess were
a big part of the Indians' first-
ever district championship in
2603-2004. Venice defeated

Lakewood Ranch and Man-
atee in a 15-5-3 campaign.
While a lot of folks expect-
ed a down season in 2004-
2005, the senior trifecta was
there to help the Indians to a
most respectable record of
12-6-3.
Forward Siegel scored a
team-high 17 goals and
received the team MVP at the
season-ending banquet. He
will be attending the Uni-
versity of North Florida, per-
haps continuing his booting
career at the Jacksonville-

PHOTO COURTESY OF KYLE MARTIN
Venice High girls soccer
standout Holly Martin is
shown with new Warner
Southern College coach
Gustavo Campos. Martin is
part of the best recruiting
class ever at Warner
Southern.

High.
Martin says she, would
now like to become a teach-
er and lists math as her
favorite course.
The Royals play in the
Florida Sun Conference un-
der the NAIA banner.
Women's soccer is relative-
ly new at Warner Southern.
The 2005 season will be the
Lady Royals fourth. With
Gustavo Campos as new,
coach, the Royals have had
three different coaches in
four years. Campos was
formerly an assistant.
Warner Southern was
1-12-1 last year under Keith
Barker.
The new class recruited
by Campos is reportedly the
best ever atWarner Southern.

personal best in the 3200 -
12:14 which put her third
in the field.
Sam Seeley was fourth in
the shot put (36 even).
Ellis was fourth in the 200
(27.11).
Jones had a fifth-place fin-
ish in the 800.
Jessica Votour was sixth in
the 100 hurdles (17.70).
Several Venice girls placed
'ninth in various events. The
top eight places score.
The Venice boys team
placed eighth out of the nine
schools at the Ram Invite.
Wade Consul was fifth in
the 1600 'with a clocking of
4:47.
Tony Charles was sixth in
the 100 (11.30).
Mike Kimson was seventh
in the discus (120-10).
Adrian Platt finished in a
tie for eighth in the high jump
(5-6).
The boys 4 by 100 took
fourth.
The Ram Invitational
served as a tune-up for next
Thursday's district meet at
Lakewood Ranch.

Siegel, Monville & Hess

based school.
Hess, a stopper turned
center midfielder, had five
'goals, but his real forte was
playing rock-solid defense.
The Indians were at their best
with a Hess in the tank.
Like Siegel, Hess is North
Florida bound. He will study
mechanical engineering
and is entertaining the
thought of trying out for the
soccer team.
Monville is a talented mid-
fielder who had seven goals,

He was known for great slid-
ing tackles and a flipping
inbounds throw.
Monville will not be head-
ing to North Florida. He will
be joining an older brother at
the University of Florida. He
will study to become an engi-
neer. Monville will not try out
for the Gators.
While soccer was "it" for
Siegel, Hess and Monville
also played on the Indian
football team. Hess was a
placekicker, while Monville

was a receiver.
Hess also was on the boys
weightlifting team.
Hess and Monville, who,
both cut their boots in the
Venice Area Youth Soccer
Association, became close
friends. They spearfish to-
gether, among other things.
One of their most memo-
rable highlights will no doubt
be their goals in the second
shootout session of the 2004
district semifinal against
Lakewood Ranch.

VENICE HIGH Athlete of the Week

SUN PHOTO BY CLAUDE LEWIS
Venice High seniors Eric Monville and Erich Hess are set to
graduate, leaving many soccer and other sports memories on
the backburner. Monville is University of Florida bound, while
Hess will be heading to the University of North Florida.

SCHOOL'S

652 E. Venice Ave. 488-9156
www.bogeys-venice.com

Senior Cory Eskew is on track to challenge the
best from the rest of the state for a FHSAA
weightlifting title. Eskew simply smoked the rest
of the 154-pound field at the Section 7 qualifier
and should be in the running to lift the gold
medal.

was the pitching and hitting star. He
pitched three scoreless innings in
relief, striking out eight. At the plate,
he had a grand slam and two doubles.
He scored four times. Colton Lightner
had three hits. Joey Cavallaro doubled
and singled. Matt Strickland also
pitched.
BABE'S HARDWARE 7, NATION-
WIDE 1 Derrick Frye threw three
innings of no-hit ball and also doubled
home a run to lead the Bambinos April
9. Jared Zach doubled in two runs.
Michael lorio and Colton Lightner had
RBIs. Mason Bo was 2-for-3. Matt
Strickland singled and scored. Brett
Smith singled and scored the lone
Nationwide run.
BABE'S HARDWARE 5, DOCTORS 4
- The Docs almost knocked Babe's
from the unbeaten ranks April 7. Tyler
Hosey pitched strong ball for the MDs.
The big hitter for Babe's was Clay
Burton, who had a three-run homer.
Burton also threw three frames. Matt
Strickland and Michael lorio also
pitched. Derrick Frye and Garrett
Johnson also contributed offensively.
LIONS 12, A.G. EDWARDS 4 -
Wesley Twigg had three hits and three
RBIs to pace the Lions attack April 9.
John Thompson had two hits and two

RBIs. He also pitched three frames.
Tyler Pender fired the other three.
Pender and Michael Seyfried each had
two hits. James Frederick had two hits
for Edwards.
LAWYERS 8, LIONS 3 The
Lawyers defeated the Lions April 12 as
Andrew Chlebina, Troy Richards,
Phillip Traub and Blake Herschberger
all had two hits apiece. Brett Swikle
had a two-run triple. He also struck
out seven batters in three innings.
Joey Burcik pitched the other three
frames. Tyler Pender and Chris
Giromini had two hits apiece for the
Lions.
MINORS
ALLEY CATS 10, MUCK DOGS 2 -
Mark Arnold and Curtis Cole pitched
the win for the Beef O'Brady Alley Cats
April 12.. Cole had two singles and
Arnold one hit. Dawson Riggs had two
hits good for four RBIs. Alex Krauss
had a two-bagger.
ALLEY CATS 14, SEA DOGS 3 -
Dawson Riggs had a double and two
singles to lead the Beef O'Brady Alley,
Cats April 9. Mark Arnold had three
singles. Alex Krauss and T.J. Fischesser
also smacked the ball with two hits,
apiece. Brian Tritschler banged home
two runs.

SUN PHOTO BY CLAUDE LEWIS

Venice's Jeff Firestine used a slick move on the the final lap to pass a competitor and fin-
ish third in the 25-lap Super Stock feature Saturday night at Charlotte County Speedway.

Challenger Festival in town this weekend

- We are the champions

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF LIGHTNER

The Venice Pythons 10-and-under baseball team'won the bracket it was playing in in the
Sarasota Spring Shootout. The locals put together a record of 4-0. As a team, the Pythons hit
.427. Colton Lightner and Nick Longhi had home runs. Glovework was provided by Tyson
Albert, Tyler Atwell, Rhett Dinka, Josh Grubbs and Zak Harman. Dominating pitching was
performed by Cooper Hammond, Lightner, Longhi, Tyler Shambora and Brett Smith.

, Wellfield will be a busy,
busy place Saturday and
Sunday.
Hundreds of baseball play-
ers will be playing dozens of
games as the Venice Chal-
lenger Festival will unfold.
Little League's Challenger
division is for children with
physical and mental disabili-
ties. It gives them a chance to
enjoy playing baseball just
like kids who are more fortu-
nate.
The state Challenger Fest-
ival took place in Fort Myers
the past two years. This is
Venice's first crack at hosting
the event.
The host team is Venice
Moose Lodge 1308. Other
teams will come from across
the state.
Rich Carroll Sr., commis-
sioner ofVLL Challenger, said
350 players from 12 Chal-
lenger organizations will be
in Venice this weekend. Not
only will all the players be in
town, but their parents and
relatives as well.
The schedule has the dif-
ferent organizations arriving

; r .i .. .,t'.,3* ...- j,

TIMING. IT'S EVERYTHING Exhilarating V6 power with variable valve timing.
Sport-tuned suspension, refined on the Norburgring, Germany's most challenging racetrack.
This is Cadillac CTS. Act quickly- it waits for no one.

Saturday morning.
Each team will play two
games Saturday afternoon.
There will be a cookout lunch
provided by Carroll and his
trusty volunteers. Opening
ceremonies and dinner will
be served Saturday evening.
There will be breakfast Sun-
day morning and more base-
ball Challenger-style,
Games are three innings

and all players bat each inning.
In Challenger baseball, no
batters are ever out, and every
team wins.
In addition, each player
will receive a T-shirt, patch,
pin and medal.
The public is invited to
come out and catch the fes-
tivities.,
For more information, call
Carroll at 485-0773.

2005 CADILLAC 2.8L CTS
Lease Example .

i/mo for 36 months*

Coast Cadillac Crest Cadillac Tropical Cadillac
Sarasota Venice Bradenton
941 922 1571 941 497 5800 941 751 6886
*Example based on local survey. Each dealer sets its own price. Your payments may vary. Payments are for a specially equipped 2005 Cadillac 2.8L CTS with an MSRP of $32,085, a capitalized cost (including any applicable cap cost reduction)
of $25,501 and a residual value of $17,326. 36 monthly payments total $10,764. Option to purchase at lease end for an amount to be determined at lease signing. GMAC must approve lease. Take delivery by 5/31/05. Mileage charge of
$.20/mile over 36,000 miles. Lessee pays for maintenance, repair and excess wear. If lease terminates early, lessee is liable for all unpaid monthly payments. Payments may be higher in some states. Residency restrictions apply. Ends 5/31/05. For details
see gm.com/hot button. 2005 GM Corp. All rights reserved. Break Through' Cadillac* Cadillac badge CTS GMAC

The Sarasota County com-
missioners unanimously ap-
proved the following items as
part of their consent agenda
on Tuesday:
A $220,000 cooperative
funding agreement with the.
Southwest Florida Water
Management District to
restore the Jim Neville Marine
Preserve, the bird Colony
Islands and Palmer Point Park
in Sarasota Bay.
The installation of a four-
way traffic stop at the inter-
section of 'Flamingo and
Pompano roads in Venice.
A $387,450 contract with
Stately Contractors to con-
struct Phase 1 of the U.S. 41
Force Main project north of
Laurel.
A $160,000 contract with

Sarasota. County Openly
Plans for Excellence to pro-
vide community studies on
selected issues in Sarasota
County.
A $9,740 contract with the
U.S. Department of Agricul-
ture Natural Resources Con-
servation Service to rent of-
fice space in the Wilson-
Miller Building in Sarasota.
A $30,000 contract with
the U.S. Department of Agri-
culture Natural Resources
Conservation Service for
technical services on conser-
vation and non-point source
pollution control.
A contract with Onyx
Waste Services Southeast and
rescission of an earlier con-
tract to provide operating ser-'
vices at the Central County
Landfill on Jackson Road near
Venice for three years.
The payment of $14,294

THE WEATHER

'/" Friday
S High 79, Low 60
.-" More clouds and
I, |breezy.

Saturday
i High 80, Low 58
Mostly sunny with a
cool morning.

.'f--- Sunday
High 81, Low 58
Mostly sunny and
warmer.

High Friday 83
Low Friday 59

Rainfall
Total this week 0.00
Total this year 9.55
Normal YTD 8.82
Rainfall totalsarefora 24-hour
period ending at 6 pm.
Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday as recorded at the
official weather station in
Venice.

to Old Republic Insurance
Company to settle a property
damage claim arising from a
collision invoking a county
utilities vehicle in September
2004.
Amendments to con-
tracts with the Salvation Army
to appropriate $112,784.and

$115,041 in Community Ser-
vices Block Grant funding.
*'A $2.8 million contract
with Westra Construction
Corp. to construct the Proctor
Road widening project in
Sarasota.
The payment of $5,000 to
theTampa Bay Partnership to

retain BKSH and Associates
for lobbying in Washington,
D.C, on business and govern-
ment tissues that affect eco-
nomic growth and develop-
ment.
You can e-mail Warren
Richardson at: wrichqard-
son@sun-herald.com.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL ,
CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR
SARASOTA COUNTY. FLORIDA
INRE: THE ESTATE OF
CESIRA VIDACH,
Deceased.
PROBATE DIVISION
File No: 2004-CP-11609-NC
Division
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The administration of the estate;of
CESIRA VIDACH, deceased, File,
Number 2004-CP-11609-NC, is
pending in the Circuit Court for
Sarasota County, Florida, Probate

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR
SARASOTA COUNTY,
FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF

.:,le,:|1:...: ,i, ir,i, i,:,urt WITHIN MARY BABBISH,
THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS Deceased.
AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST
PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE File No. 2005-CP-002668-NC
OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE
DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY NOTICE TO CREDITORS
OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The administration of the estate of
All creditors of the decedent and MARY BABBISH, deceased,
other persons having- claims or .whose date of death was Fetiru-
ean l': Ad llll:r ,le'..).nrt'; ei.i.e ary 23, 2005, and whose Social
.:-, wvh.?:T N j .:,: i ...t |h,: ,.,.I,:e is Security Number is 382-05-3874.
erv l wiirii... r T .r. m Uri, .r n'r ;; : Cerdlr ,j n i ir .: uir r 'j: url .:h.r
.rthe e ji. 1 iH ri, iir. [i ut.i hi': 1 Sarasota iounri, Fi.:.rsl, Fn rc ated
IN : N r ,,-:l e ,u: rI hlI 'I[ :lllIT .l .L v i.l,,L6. t 1 ,, i 01 aniCi is
with this Court WITHIN THE- P.O. Box 3079, Sarasota, Florida
LATER OF THREE MONTHS 34230 3.',? The names and
AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST ad.Mr.1?.:,l I te ,.er .rinl Yirr-
PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE sl mr, ar. r te i ,r,,oial r.prr.
OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE ser'iitive an,-r 3re i I'ir,
DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY below.
OF THIS NOTICE'ON THEM. Aii cre,.iir: o,' ilh ieaed.enr and
All other creditors of the decedent cir,.r perscori, ru e ,r, ,Ti, ,:,r
and persons having claims or .lemirin,: ,rim 0 d'.:eder.r'
demand a3.3in-t the dereden.at' e sle. 0., c .hf. m C .i:',' t ih,:
i-l siie IT ij l ri I, i r i:l.ir, 0 it h i,,':,i .:e i: re- ured' Ij bie e.rve.l
ir : ,-,urI WITHIN THREE ,Trui.1 iie tr.?,i .:liirr; l, Ini i' urt'
MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE
THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF 13) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME
THIS NOTICE. OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF
ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS AND THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (301
OBJECTIONS NOT SO FILED DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SER-
WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. VICE OF A COPY OF THIS
The date of the first publication NOTICE ON. THEM.
of this Notice is April 15. 2005 All o ir, r cruel. r .i ...I Ih dr.:edri't
anr, .j, r, [r i r ,r i', r ,uing .'lbifi ; or
Personal Representatives: r ir, n ;| d: A -', l,-rnr.. I;lile
DENNIS G. VIDACH must tile their claims with this court
200 Rector Place. #20E WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS
New York. NY 10280 AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST
PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ROBERT L. WILLIAMS ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED
Attorney for Personal WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET
Representative FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF

PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF
CITY OF VENICE, ORDINANCE NO. 2005-21
NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of
Venice, Florida will hold a public hearing beginning at 1:30 p.m.
or shortly thereafter, on April 26, 2005, in Council Chambers.
City Hall. 401 West Venice Avenue, Venice, Florida, to consider
and act upon the adoption of the following proposed City Ordi-
nance:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF VENICE. FLORIDA EXTENDING
THE CIlTY=S CONSENT TO THE INCLUSION OF THE INCORPO-
RATED AREA OF THE CITY OF VENICE IN THE SARASOTA COUN-
TY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAX-
ING UNIT: AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the city's consent to
its inclusion within the Sarasota County Emergency Medical Ser-
vices Taxing Unit.
This notice is published pursuant to the requirements of Section
166.041. Florida Statutes; accordingly, the publication of same
must be accomplished at least ten (10) days prior to the meet-
ing at which the above Ordinance is to be considered and acted
upon. A complete draft of the proposed Ordinance is on file in
the Office of the City Clerk for inspection by the public between
the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This public hearing may be continued from time to time.
iNo stenographic record by a certified court reporter is made of,
this meeting. Accordingly. apy person who may seek to appeal
any decision involving the matters noticed herein will be respon-
sible for making a verbatim record of the testimony and evi-
dence at this meeting upon which any appeal is to be based.

All interested persons are invited to attend and be heard. Writ-
ten comment filed with the City Clerk of the City of Venice, will
be heard and considered.
If you are disabled and need assistance, please contact the City
Clerk's office at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
/s/.
Lori Stelzer, MMC, City Clerk
PUBLISH: April 15, 2005

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR
SARASOTA COUNTY. FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
INl lPE EliATE OF
JOHN C. BLAKE
a/k/a
JOHN CLAFLIN BLAKE,
L',,e-5.5 I

All creditors of the decedent and
other persons having claims or
demands againstdecedents estate
on whom a copy of this.notice has
been served must'file their claims
with this court1 WITHIN, THE
LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER
THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLI-
CATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30
DAYS AFTER THE TIME OF SER-
VICE OF A COPY OF THIS
NOTICE ON THEM.

PUBLISH: April 15, 22, 2005.

IN THE CIRCUIT FOR'
SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
IN PE- ESTATE OF '
JOHN J. CASEY. SR.,

File No. 2005.CP-002942-NC

NOTICE TO CREDITORS
All other creditors of the decedent The administration of the estate of
and other persons having claims or JOHN J. CASEY, SR., deceased,
demands against decedent's estate wtho e dae 01 death waF January
must file their claims with this court 27. 2005, .i penirig ,r, ire : ircuii
WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE C,:r.ur i.r Sarasota '.unr,y,. 'lorin-
DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICA- da Pr,:,rtale O,,ivru, re addre;. ii
TION OF THIS NOTICE. vhih,,-:r ,F:i ', 60,7.9 Sarasota
Flori i da 1 .3ii'i The rarrmi
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN anr, ajd.lres:i5,:.1 thre p.irional rep-
THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH rs-israil.,.e rid ise .er:or.al repir-.
IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE aitivon; irrin, a',y r el Iorih
FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL below.
BE FOREVER BARRED. All creditors of the decedent and
I I irler pel.o ,r, irng lr Ji.if T rOr
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME delimandiaga.i.-ildcderirls Ilade
PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ,,r worr j *:,)pi ,i iri noi i.:e :
ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2)1 'eiu"red ire Osrv. muster, ihie rhesr
,YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE1 ra'ms wir, tr,,.: crour WITHIN THE
DECEDENTS DATE OF, DEATH LATER OF THREE (31 MONTHS
IS BARRED. AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST

PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF
CITY OF VENICE ORDINANCE NO. 2005-23
Please be notified that the City Council of the City of Venice,
Florida at its regular meeting on the 26th day of April, 2005, in
City Hall, 401 West Venice Avenue, Venice, Florida at 1:30 p.m.,
or shortly thereafter, will consider and act upon the adoption of
the following proposed Ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF VENICE, FLORIDA. AMENDING
THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
FOR THE CITY OF VENICE DESIGNATING FOUNDATION PARK AS
"RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE";: AND PROVIDING AN EFFEC-
TIVE DATE.

This notice is published pursuant to the requirements of Section
166.041, Florida Statutes; accordingly, the publication of same
must be accomplished at least ten (10) days prior to the meet-'
ing at which the above Ordinance is to be considered and acted
upon. A complete draft of the proposed Ordinance is on file in
the Office of the City Clerk for inspection by the public between
the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This public hearing may be continued from time to time.
No stenographic record by a certified court reporter is made of
this meeting. Accordingly, any person who may seek to appeal
any decision involving the matters noticed herein will be respon-
sible for making a verbatim record of the testimony and evi.
dence at this meeting upon Which any appeal is to be based.
All interested persons are invited to attend and be heard. Writ-
ten comment filed with the City Clerk at the above address, will
be heard and considered.
If you are disabled and need assistance, please contact the City
Clerk's office at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

/s/Lori. Stelzer, MMC, City Clerk,
PUBLISH:'April 15, 2005

PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE
OR THIRTY (30). DAYS AFTER
TIE DATE OF SERVICE OF A
COPY OF THIS NOTICE .ON
THEM. ,
All oulr r r-redilurs ..1 I t, der: -ien i
,iS,:,r,,' g.,l iritl Ihe ide:cArdeir'
IN. iTu.t IIsIe Ter ,:.ainjr uilhr
Ir,. :.ourt WITHIN THREE (3)1

S CITY OF VENICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
05-1RZ
NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the
City of Venice. Florida will hold a public hearing beginning al
1:30 p.m. or shortly thereafter, on May 10, 2005, in Counci
Chambers, City Hall, 401 West Venice Avenue, Venice, Florida
to consider Rezoning Petition No. 05-1RZ for the rezoning of the
following described property: from RSF-2 (Residential, Single
family) to RMF-2..VG (Residential, Multi-family/Venetian Gate-
way); or to such other zoning district as the City Council of the
City of Venice shall deem appropriate-
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:
RSF-2 IResidential, Single-family) to RMF-2,.VG (Residential,'
Multi-family. Venetian Gateway) for the following described
property located in the City of Venice:

Tract 4 of the unrecorded plat of KENT ACRES,. more particu-
larly described as follows: The West 304 feet of the East 1249
feet of the North 726 feet of that part of Section 9. Township
39 South, Range 19 East, Sarasota County. Florida. lying
South of the existing R/W of Venice Avenue East, the South 15
feet therein being reserved for ingress and egress easement.
Totaling 5.06 acres.
More. commonly known as Fiore dl Venezia, located at 1755 E.
Venice Avenue, Venice, Florida.
A second public hearing will be held beginning at 1:30 p.m. or
shortly thereafter, on May 24, 2005. in Council Chambers. Cit)
Hall. 401 West Venice Avenue, Venice, Florida
This public hearing may be continued from time to time..
Plans and/or details are available for public inspection at the
City Clerk's office, 401 West Venice Avenue, Vepice, Florida. All
Interested parties are invited to appear and be heard. Written
communication filed with the' City Clerk at the above address
will be heard and considered.
No stenographic record by a certified court reporter is made of
this meeting. Accordingly, any person who may seek to appeal
any decision involving the matters npticed herein will be respon-
sible for making a verbatim record of the testimony and evi-
dence at this meeting upon which any appeal is to be based.
If you are disabled and need assistance, please contact the City
Clerk's office at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

/s/
Lori Stelzer, MMC
City Clerk
PUBLISH: April 15, 2005

PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF
CITY OF VENICE, ORDINANCE NO. 2005-22
NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of
Venice. Florida will hold a public hearing beginning at 1:30 p.m.
or shortly thereafter, on April 26, 2005. in Council Chambers,
City Hall, 401 West Venice Avenue. Venice, Florida, to consider
and act upon the adoption of the following proposed City Ordi-
nance: .
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF VENICE, FLORIDA.
CODE OF ORDINANCES. BY DELETING CHAPTER 86. LAND
DEVELOPMENT CODE. ARTICLE II. ADMINISTRATION AND
REVIEW AUTHORITIES. SECTION 86-24. BOARD OF ZONING
APPEALS: AMENDING ARTICLE I, PURPOSE AND APPUCABIU-
TY, SECTION 86-5. OFFICIAL ZONING ATLAS; ARTICLE II,
ADMINISTRATION AND REVIEW AUTHORITIES. SECTION 86-23,
PLANNING COMMISSION: ARTICLE IV. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
PROCEDURES. SECTION 86-43, SPECIAL EXCEPTION USES,
SUBSECTION (b|(3) WRITTEN PETITION: SECTION 86-46, VARI-
ANCES: SECTION 86-47. AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND DEVEL-
OPMENT CODE. SUBSECTION (b) INITIATION OF PROPOSALS:
ARTICLE V, USE REGULATIONS. DIVISION 7. SPECIAL AND
OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICTS, SECTION 86-120, VG VENETIAN
GATEWAY DISTRICT. SUBSECTIONS (f)(7)d., BUFFER YARD
REQUIREMENTS AND (8) PARKING AREA LANDSCAPING: ARTI-
CLE VI. DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, SECTION 86-
440. APPLICABILITY OF REQUIREMENTS; APPEALS: PROVIDING
FOR CONFLICT WITH OTHER ORDINANCES: PROVIDING FOR A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Purpose of Ordinance: Amending Code of Ordinances to con-
solidate the duties and functions of the Board of Zoning Appeals
into the duties and functions of the Planning Commission.
This notice is published pursuant to the requirements of Section
166.041, Florida Statutes: accordingly, the publication of same
must be accomplished at least ten (10) days prior to the meet-
ing at which the above Ordinance is to be considered and acted
upon. A complete draft of the proposed Ordinance is on file in
the Office of the City Clerk for inspection by the public between
the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This public hearing may be continued from time to time.
No stenographic record by a certified court reporter Is made of
this meeting Accordingly, any person who may seek to appeal
any decision involving the matters noticed herein will be respon-
sible for making a verbatim record of the testimony and evi-
dence at this meeting upon which any appeal is to be based.
All interested persons are Invited to attend and be.heard. Writ,
ten comment filed with the City Clerk of the City of Venice, will
be heard and considered.
If you are disabled and need assistance, please contact the City
Clerk's office at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. :

/s/ ....
Lori Stelzer, MMC, City Clerk
PUBLISH: April 15, 2005

FRIDAY, APRIL 15,2005

8A VENICE GONDOLIER SUN

I ALMANAC

Split vote kills hope for Flying Bridge rezone

County commissioners liked the proposed
redevelopment project for the property,
but two of them put a higher value
o mIaintaninig public water access.

BY WARREN RICHARDSON
SARASOTA COUNTY EDITOR
A tie vote among four
county commissioners Wed-
nesday killed a rezoning pro-
posal that would have brought
high-priced townhomes to
the property currently occu-
pied by the Flying Bridge
re,.aEurant,..-. .
rCounty Commissioners
Shannon Staub and David
Mills. -'. sup-
proposal by
devel *per

Staub the marina
' : zoning that
already existed, Whealey also
planned to have 19 covered
boat slips available for the
townhome owners, which
they could lease to the general
public iflhey se chose.t.
Sips`itorclaFnieT'bV- town-
homn ownt vsould be of-
fered.Lo.the public at prices
ranging from $200,000 to
$.2 5.0,0 0 .
Whealey told
commission-
ers. I
pIs pite
pleas *from
several near-
by Osprey
residents to:
approve the
plan, it was Mercier
the loss of
waterfront access that trou-
bled Mercier and Thaxton.
"It's our responsibility to
maintain access to the water,"
"* said Mercier.
S*sresidents
1I know the
Se sa itd e nsbts
want this but
we represent
everyone in
piece" ithe county. I
Even Stcantub, who support
Thaxton said
Patterson he thought it
was a quailt,
project but also cited the loss
of 'public waterfront as the
basis HAVor decision Isaing
the Fying Bridge was the last

got a lot of support for this,"
Staub toldWhealey. "I'm sorry
I can't be more supportive,
but we're talking about losing
boat facilities that are afford-
able. In my heart, losing the
Flying Bridge is taking away
one of the things we've grown
up with."

.- ,

Bruce Franklin, Whealey's
project planner, told commis-
sioners that operating losses
of $467,000 plus almost $1.5
million in deferred mainte-
nance costs were forcing
Whealey, who owns the
Flying Bridge, to close the
establishment.

"You're going to lose the
restaurant in any event,"
Franklin said. "Economically,
it can't sustain itself."
County Attorney Steve De-
Marsh said the split vote
automatically acted as a
denial of the proposal. ,
Whealey could appeal the

decision to the circuit court,
or he could make changes to
the proposal and attempt to
secure a change of heart by
either Thaxton or Mercier.
You can e-mail Warren
Richardson at: wrichardson@
sun-herald.com.

"'26 CU FT SIDE BY SIDE
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VENICE GONDOLIER SUN 9A

FRIDAY, APRIL 15,2005 '

1 OA VENICE GONDOLIER SUN FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2005

Beach project may start May 1

BYJJ.ANDREWS
NEWS EDITOR

The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers was expected to be
finally awarded the $17.2 mil-
lion Venice Beach renourish-
ment project late Thursday
after several delays.
Venice officials still had
not received word as of
Thursday night. Venice Public
Information Officer Pam
Johnson expects the Army
Corps of Engineers to notify
the city today.
Permits issued by Florida
Department of Environmen-
tal Protection allow for work
to start as soon as Saturday,
but Johnson said the start
date should be closer to May
1. A presentation by engineers

will be held at the April 26
city council meeting before
starting.
As far as completion dates
go, the city has been told
Venice Beach should be fin-
ished in early August.
State permits allow work-,
ers to relocate sea turtle nests
as anywhere from 130-160
feet of sand is placed along
3.2 miles of beach, from the
North Jetty to Venice Fishing
Pier.
'"A lot will depend on just
how it goes," Johnson said.
"They will have to deal with
weather problems. Anytime
there are high seas, they can-
not be out on the barge, so
much of it will depend on
that."
Unlike neighboring pro-

jects, the Venice renourish-
ment job is part of an agree-
ment with the federal gov-
ernment because of the Intra-
coastal Waterway. The jetties
are blamed for washing away
sand south of the inlet, so
the federal government
agreed to restock the beach
every 10 years.
Funding for this project
was removed by President
Bush last year and only re-
instated after hurricanes
pounded Florida. Venice did
wind up getting an extra $4
million because of the hurri-
canes; about $3 million of the
project is from local sources.

You can e-mail J.J.Andrews
at: jardrews@venicegondolier.
corn.

SUN PHOTO BY JEFF TAVARES, jtavares@venicegondolier.com
Matt Thompson, plays on Venice Beach. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to award
the $ 17.2 million contract to provide sand renourishment for Venice Beach.

Good old Florida

sunshine is enjoyed by all

Alan and Mary Raynor enjoy listening to the concert in Centenial Park.

RARELY AVAILABLE NOKOMIS WATERFRONT. Just one
bridge to the Gull this 3BR canal home features a large
lamily room with wood-burning fireplace & a separate
entrance guest suite with bay window. $425,000. Sherrey
Welch. 485-5421 or 223-6318 #466123

T he Florida Supreme Court will hear oral
arguments June 7 in the groundbreak-
ing Bush v. Holmes case. The ruling will
go a long way in determining if Gov. Jeb
Bush's plan which gives state money to
students in poor-performing public schools
to attend private schools is legal.
The idea of giving state money to private
schools, a cornerstone of Bush's A-plus edu-
cation program, has been controversial from
the start.
Educators argue the policy weakens the
public school system, and some even go as
far as to say the ultimate goal of the Bush
administration both in Florida and in the
White House is to undermine public edu-
cation in favor of privatization.

Others will argue that opportunity schol-
arships are an unconstitutional aid to reli-
gious schools in violation of the Florida con-
stitution's Blaine Amendment. That argu-
ment is based on the idea opportunity schol-
arships do not aid schools but parents and
students, and operate as social service pro-
grams that allow recipients to choose among
religious and non-religious service providers.
A big hurdle for Gov. Bush's plan will be
June 7 when the courts hear arguments from
the Institute for Justice, the Urban League of
Greater Miami and the state's own attorneys
in favor of school choice programs.
Whatever the courts rule, there are serious
problems with the state's policies on educa-
tion.

We believe the worst example of hypocrisy
in the state and national education plans
involve testing. We have no problem with
accountability. There should be some way to
rate whether public school teachers and
administrators are doing a good job educat-
ing our children. The current methods of test-
ing don't achieve those goals.
Florida public schools are held captive by
the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests
and the No Child Left Behind Act passed by
Congress and President Bush. The two tests
are used to grade schools' performance and
punish underachieving schools by allowing
their students to transfer.
The guidelines used to grade the schools
are different in the two, tests and often con-

tradict each other. By failing to coordinate the
criteria, the state and federal governments
have put the schools in a no-win situation.
Top that predicament with the amount of
time teachers must spend preparing students
for the tests and you have a serious distrac-
tion from what should be a daily learning
routine.
- Meanwhile, private schools, which are the
beneficiary of state funds, are not required to
have their students take either the FCAT or
national tests. Students who transfer there
are never held to any testing standard to see if
they are improving.
That hypocrisy must be remedied no
matter what Florida's Supreme Court rules
this summer.

An Easter

bird walk

PRESIDENT

The usual snowbirds in my
retiree neighborhood are aug-
mented by a special spring-
t-'fhie. igtaLon. of walking
birds. 1They. are here every
year, right around the Easter
holiday. The usual snowbirds
are walkers with an occasion-
al slow-motion jogger with a
sweatband and more weight
than is comfortable. Male and
female, they come in all sizes
and colors. Print dresses and
purple pants vie with khaki
and pink.
In the early morning hours
are the regulars, more serious
and fast-paced walkers.
About 8:30 a.m., come those
with sweater arms tied about
their waist as they shed to
accommodate the rising sun.
About 9 a.m., a distinguished-.
looking Irish wolfhound mov-
es deliberately down the side-
walk accompanied a few:
paces behind by a slender,
erect, equally distinguished
gentleman. They will mark
this territory again, about 4:30
p.m. Dogs are popular com-
panions. While the owners
may be short or tall, wide or
skinny, the dogs for the most
part are of the short-legged
variety. They provide an easy
conversational invitation to
strangers coming from the
opposite direction who pause
to admire, inquire after their
breeds or the owner's home-
town or mention a similar pet
of their own.
Couples parade together;
their legs moving in perfect
unison. Now and then, an
energetic woman moves a
few paces ahead of her some-
what-older male companion
who is paying the penalty of
having married an attractive
40-year-old when he was 55.
The birds are generally
friendly with a "hello," "nice
day" or "lovely weather we are
having."
When you are passed with
a cheery "hello" by a pair

headed for the swimming
pool, you can be assured they
are from Minnesota or Can-
ada and find a 65-degree pool
refreshing. The warbled hello
of an Ontario, Michigan or
Iowa bird is hard to place, but
the Boston and Brooklyn call
is easily identified.
Our snowbirds have a vari-
ety of plumage. Bill caps are
popular with the males. The
caps, in all colors, carry the
markings of other golf course
communities on the migra-
don path. Safari hats are also
popular with a sprinkling of
flat wool English bill caps, the
kind that are popular with
older gents driving a small
foreign convertible with the
top down. New Englanders
are partial to those floppy
hats where the brim folds
down rather than up. The
other day I spotted a rare pur-
ple fedora.
For a short season, the
Easter migration adds some-
thing extra. When a young
lady comes jogging effortless-
ly by in running shorts with
her blond ponytail bouncing
to her stride, you know the
Easter migration is here.
Another sign is the parade of
three generations with grand-
ma and daughter out front,
grandpa just behind with a 5-
and 7-year old. Here come
athletic 5- and 6-year-olds in
pink helmets on two-wheel-
ers followed by a mother on
rollerblades. Speedy cyclers
helmeted and bareheaded
come in conversational
clumps. Two teenage roller-
bladers startle large alligator
on the bank. He hits the water
with a large splash and the
girls stop to see the snout of
the gator rise from the pond
surface. They will have some-,
thing to tell when they get
back to school.
As I headed for home,
between the sidewalk and the
golf course I observed three
sandhill cranes moving delib-
erately, even sedately, as they
looked for breakfast in the
newly mowed grass. They
seemed undisturbed by the
seasonal snowbird migration.
Another month, and they will
pretty much have the place to
themselves.
Derek Dunn-Rankin is the
publisher and president of
Sun Coast Media Group. He
writes an occasional column
for this newspaper.

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advertisingg In the Iocal'communities we serve. We will continu-b
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tomers; the value and result? for our advertisers; the qualityiof life'
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LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

Make it 44 feet and get on with it

Editor:
Your article, "Council to rule on appeal of extra height," puz-
zles me. '
You report that when the planning commission requested a
9-foot increase to the 35-foot height limit, an "extra height"
exception was made for a proposed new building on West
Venice Avenue. Apparently, it was approved by the city manag-
er, et al; however, now Herb Levine, a resident of Venice and
president of the Venice Taxpayers League, feels "aggrieved"
over this exception to the rules and is challenging the decision.
Why does everything always have to be so complicated? The
city manager has said that this is merely an exception to the 35-
foot limit, and city council is not supporting the removal of a
height cap. If we're confused, let's face it, so are they.
They gave some developers the go-ahead on a little added
height, thought it was going to slip by unnoticed, but Herb
Levine, in a moment of aggrieved enlightenment, said "no
way."
So, here we are, not knowing if we're going up or down. I
have a solution: Let's raise the height limit to 44 feet and stick
with it, until some other time.
Mary Kay Ruppel
Venice

EDITORS NOTE: The property owners, not the planning commission,
requested the special exception for an additional 9 feet. The planning
commission approved it; the city manager has no authority to do so.
Levine appealed the decision, claiming he was "aggrieved," as required
by city code. As reported in Wednesday's paper, council voted 4-2 that it
Would consider Levine's appeal in spite of the property owners' argument
that only adjoining property owners could be "aggrieved."

Public transportation
system is deficient
Editor:
As everybody knows, gas
prices are extremely high
today. The average price is
$2.30 -a gallon. Many people
are paying about $30 to fill up
their tank and if you drive an
SUV or truck you will be pay-
ing $60 or $70 to fill them up.
With these rising gas prices
and Hurricane. Charley nine
months ago, many can't
afford the prices, especially
the elderly on fixed income
and the young people with

only part-time jobs. What we
need is a better bus system.
My point is that with limit-
ed public transportation and
high gas prices, getting
around is getting very difficult
and the citizens of the county
need to express their concern.
Raymond N. Budd Jr.
North Port
City should crack
down on codes
Editor:
I believe ithe city of Venice
really needs to enforce prop-
erty codes on the island. So

many of the homes in Venice.
are growing old; and with age
comes decay and in some
cases severe neglect from
property owners.
Many, property owners, I
imagine, are out-of-towners
who don't realize or care their
grass is 3 feet high while
they're away. Code enforce-
ment needs to come into play
here.
It's a shame when an
owner obviously takes care of
his property 'and it looks
great, but right next door is a
neglected home that looks
like a dump. I see this more
and more as, I drive around
the island.
Some property owners just
don't care, and their pigsty
properties show it. Come on,
city of Venice, let's enforce the
codes!
Andrew Patterson
Venice
This is beautification?
Editor: '
In regard to a 145-foot cell
phone tower possible for
Englewood: Well, so much for
the "beautification of Engle-
wood."
Larry Lessard
Englewood
Swale of a problem
with mail boxes
Editor:
My mail box has been hit
as many years as we have
lived in this house. Now it has
cinder blocks so no one hits it
again.
I live near a model home
that has cars in the swales all
day long, making it a hazard

besides putting tires tracks all
over the place. And they are
not visitors. These are regular
people in there all day long.
Why don't they stop worry-
ing about mail boxes, which
get hit on a regular basis and
need protection, and go after
all the cars all over the swales?
We cut our grass, but their
cars put all kinds of indenta-
tions in there. In an emer-
gency, which is all day long,
it's a safety hazard.
If people would stay on the
road and off the cell phones,
then all the boxes would allbe
a row. I can't afford a new one
every year.
Barbara Prokopiak
North Port
Pope leaves legacy
of love, hope, freedom
Editor:
Pope John Paul II's passing"
ends a brief era. His papacy
was one of the most influen-
tial, and certainly the most
broadly traveled, of all time.
One of his greatest accom-
plishments was his leader-
ship in spreading freedom
around the world.
He helped to defeat com-
munism and liberate millions
of people. He helped lead to
the downfall of despotic,
atheist regimes; not by initiat-
ing conflict with a preemptive
invasion that could possibly
start World War III, but with a
spirit to peacefully liberate
the prisoners of totalitarian-
ism.
Probably as much as any
political leader, he and (for-
mer) President Reagan both
Please see LETTERS, 12A

What? Cookie Monster on
a diet?
That's what the Children's
Television Workshop is doing
to the big blue guy with the
Gene Wilder eyes and the
sweet tooth. During this year's
season of "Sesame Street," the
show's characters will be ex-
tolling the virtues of healthy
foods. Goodbye cookies, hello
cauliflower.
Sure, and why not have
Elmo stop referring to himself
in the third person? Why not
have Bert recycle his paper
clip collection? Why not have
Ernie stop from damaging his
eardrums with that stupid
drum set and take up classical
piano? Why not have Count
Von Count get counseling for
his obsessive-compulsive dis-
order? Why not send Baby
Bear to speech lessons for
that lisp?
"Sesame Street" has help-

LlI I IR: from pagellA
were responsible for the
downfall of communism in
the Soviet Union and Eastern
bloc countries. They both con-
stantly opposed oppression,
and encouraged freedom.
I would say John Paul II
was definitely a political pope
and a humanitarian. He was
holiness, fortitude, faith and
hope for all of us in these dark
ttHe also worked hard tos.
He also worked hard to

ed educate 36 years of kids,
including mine. One of the
reasons we paid attention to
the numbers and letters
Cookie and his pals were
teaching us was because in
between Cookie was gobbling
cookies. "Sesame Street" has
been so successful, schools
had to adjust their kinder-
garten curriculums because
most kids arrive with an
understanding, if not a mas-
tery, of their ABCs and 123s.
But Sesame Street has
always been on the cutting
edge of political correctness,
for better or for worse. Heck,
even the monsters are all dif-
ferent colors (as are the hu-
man cast members).
So now that childhood
obesity is the outrage of the
day, it's not surprising Cookie
Monster is replacing his
chocolate chips with veggies
and dip.
It's nuts.
Kids don't eat cookies
because of Cookie Monster,
they eat them because Mom-
my or Daddy said they could
or weren't there to say, "No."
Do the folks at "Sesame
Street" really think kids will
eat broccoli because Grover
says so? Did you ever eat
spinach because Popeye
could punch Bluto's lights out
after he ate some? Did the
Green Giant ever entice you
to eat more green beans?

improve the living conditions
of the poor and the down-
trodden, and worked tireless-
ly to eradicate prejudice and
to free oppressed peoples of
the world.
Why I like him he was
confronting illness, terror and
oppression, (but) he still, lived
(fearlessly) whathe preached.
S-He did say, ?GCertainly in
God's plan, thingg happens
by chance." And, "The life of

I can sing the Libby's jingle
by heart ("If it says Libby's,
Libby's, Libby's on the label,
label, label, you will like it, like
it, like it on the table, table,
table") but that didn't stop me
from hiding peas beneath the
edge of my plate.
What's entertaining about
"Sesame Street" isn't its real-
ness, it's its unrealness. If
"Sesame Street" wants to get
real, why not have Big Bird
gobble up Slimey, Oscar the
Grouch's oversized worm
friend? For that matter, if Os-
car is such a grouch, wouldn't
he have squashed Slimey in a
fit of grouchiness long ago?
Why not have Bert hit the
bottle? Why not have Mr.
Hooper get arrested for tax
,evasion? Why not have Zoe
ask Mr. Noodle about that
dirty, smelly man in the card-
board box around the corner
from Sesame Street?
I'll still watch "Sesame
Street" with my kids. It's still
better than most shows on TV
But spare my kids and me the
food pyramid lecture. If my
daughter eats raw carrots, it's
not because Rosita said they
were tasty, it's because her
mother ,bought them and
insisted she try them.
Shutting off Cookie Mon-
ster? What's next, Ernie get-
ting married and moving out?
After all, there's been talk
about him and Bert.

chastity, poverty and obedi-
ence, willingly embraced and
faithfully lived, confutess the
conventional wisdom of the
world and challenges the com-
monly accepted vision of life."
He will be greatly missed.

Geoffrey T. Ward
Englewood
n p b hI.

They left. This is in response to Bob Vedder's column, Where
did all the kids go: I'll tell you where they went they left
Venice. There's no place for the kids to hang out or anything for
the kids to do. They used to have a skate park. The guy running
the park asked the city for help with the insurance; the city said
no; the park closed. They used to have Home Run Derby Day at
Venice High school. The people in the mobile home park next
to the high school complained to the school board no home
run derby at Venice High. There's no movie theater. So where
do the kids go? Out of South County There's nothing for today's
youth to do in this area. The old people .complain about them
and don't want to give the kids anything to do. I'm not saying
it's all the old people's fault, but they are a majority down here,
and housing is so outrageously high the younger generation
can't afford it. So that's where all the kids went, Mr. Vedder.

On its toes. I feel Sarasota
Memorial Hospital should defi-
nitely build a facility in the
Venice area. It would be a great,
great help to Venice and it
would also make the little hos-
pital we have here get on its
toes better. Sarasota Memorial
is a fantastic facility and given
the choice I would always go to
Sarasota Memorial over the
Venice hospital. We would defi-
nitely look forward to having a
branch down here.
It's great. I love getting the
Venice Gondolier Sun three
days a week. It makes it so
much easier to keep up with
what's going on. I dropped my
subscription to the Sarasota
Herald-Tribune just because
you increased to three days a
week. I'd much rather have
your paper than the Herald;
it's much, much better.
Please, please keep the three
days a week it's great.
Go back. Regarding your
new schedule of publication:
Publishing on Sunday does
not make the Gondolier Sun a
Sunday newspaper, nor does
separating the editorial pages
from the front section make
you a three-section newspa-
per. I say go back to the
Wednesday-Saturday niche
that you had carved for your-
self.
Go for four. I happen to
love the three-day-a-week

* WATERFRONT Condominium development
opportunity! Seller indicates that up to 14 units
can be developed on this site without rezoning or L-
acquiring a special exceptions. Great, wide,
unobstructed views of Lemon Bay in Englewood,
FL. There is, already a dock on site. Rare- -
opportunity, act fast! $4,995,000
* VENICE HEALTH PARK One of Venice's best
known medical locations. This office
condominium space is directly connected through
an interior door to a certified surgery center. A
doctor that occupies this space can use the
surgery center as an additional source of income.
Current lease expires January 31, 2007. A doctor
could purchase now for future use. This is also
suitable for an investor with' significant upside on
rent. $1,050,000
* FOR LEASE up to 3,200 square feet of space in a high traffic location on US
41 Bypass in Venice. $14.95 per square foot gross.

delivery. I live in Venice and
the more information I get
about our community, the
more I enjoy it. If these people
really don't want to get it three
times a week, they could just
buy it from a newsstand how-
ever many days they want it
and not subscribe. Keep'em
coming; it's a great newspa-
per. And if you want to go to
four days a week, I'd love it
even more. It's a wonderful,
wonderful paper.

A little pregnant. I have
two comments. One, I think
it's a good idea for Sarasota
Memorial to come to the area
because competition ,is al-
ways excellent. Also, they are
going to provide services that
the Venice regional hospital
does not want to provide, so I
don't see that they'll be doing
our hospital any harm. I
mainly want to talk about the
outrageous article about our
information director here in

Venice, who lied; gave busi-
ness to his own company; had
a friend cover for him; then
was allowed to get away with
a rap on the knuckles. There's
just no way this was not dis-
honest. Being dishonest and
being a little bit pregnant are
the same thing. There's no
such thing as being a little bit
pregnant; there's no 'such
thing as giving a contract to
your own company and lying
to the city about it.
No direction. When we
have these wonderful back-
ups in traffic on the island, no
one seems to do anything,
including the police. I never
see them at an intersection
directing traffic, letting some
of the people go through
when they have to st6p for no
reason because the-bridge is
up, or at a lot of other times
when they could be helping
people. Most cities have peo-
ple out there directing traffic;
why doesn't Venice?
Name them. The recent
abduction and murder of a lit-
tle girl by a registered sex
offender has saddened the
hearts of millions. Sarasota
County has many sex offend-
ers who are registered at your
local police stations. However,
most people are not aware of
this. Therefore, we suggest
you publish in the newspaper
all of the registered sex of-
fenders to make more people
aware of who is living in their
neighborhoods.

GIVE US A CALL
The Le'em Have It line allows readers to sound off on issues of
local interest. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the
callers and do not necessarily represent the views of this newspa-
per. Opinions or comments that are personal attacks on people;
attacks on or commercials for businesses; political endorsements;
or otherwise unfit for publication will not be printed. If you would
like to participate, call the line at 207-1111. Call no more than
once a week. Please keep your comments brief. The line is avail-
able all hours. Caller identification is not required.

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Asian cuisine prepared on-
site to the original recipes of
Master Chef Ming-Tsai
Cherng is coming to Venice.
Panda Express, the quick-
service Chinese restaurant
group with more than 7(10
locations- 'nationwide, is
acquiring the former Burger
King at 4201 South Tamiami
Trail in Venice Village Shop-
pes at Jacaranda Boulevard.
The restaurant will be located
in front of the new Ross Dress
For Less store opening the
end of this month.
"Renovations are sched-
uled to start in August and we
plan to be open in Novem-
ber," confirmed Wes Miller,
company spokesman.
Panda Express, which will
be hiring 18 for the opening,
prepares all entrees on-site.
The company was launched
in 1973 when Cherng and his
son, Andrew, opened their
first restaurant in Pasadena,
Calif. It is part of the privately
owned Panda Restaurant
Group, which includes Panda
Inns and Hibachi-San.
The company recently do-
nated $200,000 to World Vi-
sion for the tsunami relief
efforts.
.Dangerous eye sores
removed
The recent activity on Ta-
miami Trail immediately to
the north of Mathews-Currie
Ford_,s-.snply contractors
tearing down properties that
were considered eye sores
and could be potentially dan-
gerous for people walking
around there, according to
Edward Beilen, partner and
general manager. They are
being removed, the land flat-
tened and space used for
additional vehicle display.
Plans for the two-year pro-
ject to double the size of the
dealership are at the permit-
ting stage, and no "date has
been decided for starting the
project, which Businews an-
nounced in January.
Shopping center planned
In planning for future
growth south of the new
2,000-home Gran Paradiso
development recently an-
nounced by Sam Rodgers
Developments south of Plan-
tation Golf& Country Club on
Tamiami Trail, a complete
shopping center is earmarked
by Thomas Ranch Develop-
ments of Atlanta.
The company acquired the
former Taylor Ranch and it is
understood its future plans
include a 100-acre tract locat-
ed within the city of North
Port, south of Grand Paradiso
and north of River Road.
No details are available
regarding the tenants, which
will likely include a major
food supermarket, pharmacy
and. supporting- stores. The
time schedule is likely to
coordinate with 80-90 per-
cent completion of Gran
Paradiso around 2010,
according to Sam Rodgers,
president of Sam Rodgers
Developments. ,
Majoriaurel
development"
Rezoning plans for the
Hurt Property on Laurel Road
are with the county for
approval and will lead to
another major development
of more than 600 residential
units.
Located on almost 120
acres on the undeveloped
north side of Laurel Road
across from Laurel Nokomis
School, it has been owned by
the Hurt family of Venice for
30-40 years. With 227 single-
family homes, 180 villas and

235 town homes, construc-
tion is at least a year away
after rezoning has been
approved by Sarasota County
and the Southwest Florida
Water Management District,
according to Jim Farr, vice
president of planning for
George F Young Inc. The Hurt
Family may develop it or sell
it to developers, said Farr.
Successful cancer
fund-raiser
Venice Yacht Club mem-
bers Mack and Judy Wilcox
co-chaired the first club Golf
Tournament and Caribbean
Style Dinner Party & Dance to
benefit Hospice of Southwest
Florida's 25th anniversary.
Eighty golfers on 20 teams
participated in the scramble
competition, which took
place at Pelican Pointe Golf &
Country Club. MarineMax
provided the hole-in-one
prize, a $30,000 Boston
Whaler, which was not won,
and 28 Venice companies
sponsored tees. More than
240 people participated in the
silent and live auctions dur-
ing the evening party at the
Venice Yacht Club.
"It was highly successful
and we are hoping to have
raised $40,000," confirmed
Lee Pires, VYC general man-
ager. Hospice 25th anniver-
sary events co-coordinator
Lisa Arrigo said, "I was just
amazed at the wonderful
support from.Venice busi-
nesses and people who par-
ticipated to make it such a
success."

lifetime, he developed the
True Love Bead. In the first
month of announcing pub-
licly his new project he has
completed 60 bead orders. To
his surprise, the largest order
- for eight beads came
from a lady who had lost a
partner. She and her family
were so pleased with the True
love Beads they ordered
another 12 in different colors
to be worn with various fash-
ions.
Recently Figg signed up 22'
pet crematories across the
country at a national conven-
tion, and he has 12 veterinar-
ians participating in the True
Love Bead program. Within a
few weeks he will launch
truelovebeads.com and is
looking to attract internation-
al orders.
Because the cremains are
encased in glass, the beads
are unique. Prices start from
$50 and are available in vary-
ing sizes individually or with
necklaces, bracelets, key
chains and even pens.
Figg is working on perfect-
ing a True Love Bead ring and
earrings. He has offers from
professional bead makers to
assist with production.
"My wife says if this thing
takes off we will build another
building and start another
business," he said.
Rita wears two True Love
Bead necklaces and Figg has
one he says continually at-
tracts attention.
Perfect hairdo in a minute
Originally they came from

-

SUN PHOTO BY ROGER BUTTON
George Figg created the True Love Bead so survivors would
have a wearable remembrance of a deceased relative or pet.

Unique jewelry memorial
A Nokomis man has re-
solved a very special problem
for hundreds or thousands,
maybe even more people
who do and will want to dis-
creetly, yet significantly,
retain a small part of a loved
one close by them at all times.
The loss of a partner, child,
relative or pet needs by many
people to be symbolized by
the retention of their ashes.
Until a few weeks ago it was
common practice to acquire,
an urn for this purpose.
'George Figg of Laurel Road
has created a handsome, yet
appropriately designed, piece
of jewelry for this purpose:
the True Love Bead, a delicate
glass bead in which the cre-
mains of a loved one are
-encased in solid glass as a
memorial to their wonderful
life.
Each bead is unique hand-
made glass, blown with one
or more colors inserted be-
fore the cremains ashes -
are added and sealed with a
clear coating, and hardware
attachments are added.
A Ringling School of Art
graduate, Figg learned the art
of glass bead-making in Ve-
nice then set about many
weeks and hundreds of hours
of practicing on more than
400 to perfect the True Love
Bead.
He and his wife, Rita, have
owned Driftwood Kennels for
more than 29 years. Every
year 500-600 pets are cremat-
ed at Driftwood, and in addi-
tion he provides the service
for veterinarians.
Realizing the need to have
a timeless memorial for the
26 dogs he has lost during his

Kentucky and set up the first
Snooty Corner Fashions at
Venice Commons on East
Venice Avenue. Five years
later they moved to, Osprey's.
South Bay Fashion Center
and stayed for 19 years until
recently, when Eleanore
Mullenax and daughter Kathy
acquired a downtown loca-
tion at 128 W. Venice Ave.
They specialize in unusual
fashions, jewelry and acces-
sories.
"We concentrate on wigs,
particularly helping lady can-
cer survivors, and the perfect
hairdo in a minute, a clip-on
hairpiece," said Mullenax.
Working grandmother
Originally from Ohio,
where she owned a dress and
antique shop, Gaylaree
Harlmond, a 20-year resi-
dent of Venice Gardens,
recently opened Ye Olde
Antique Shop at 223W Miami
Ave.
"I'm 69 and have been in
antiques for 45 years. I only
got back into it because I
wanted to work and help my
wonderful granddaughter,
Elizabeth, who lives in Fort
Lauderdale," Hammond
commented.
Partner Jan Glockengeiser
creates scrunchies, lamp-
shade cord covers and shab-
by-chic white and distressed
old furniture. Hammond
offers regular antiques, in-
cluding a Hepplewhite secre7
tary, silver and jewelry.
"We're very pleased and
doing very well," said Ham-
mond, who sub-lets space in
the large 4,000-square-foot
property to additional
antique dealers.

Get an extension to file your

BY MARK W. PAOLILLO, C.P.A.
GUEST COLUMNIST

April 15 is here. If you aren't
able to file your 2004 income
tax return today, file a Form
4868 with the IRS. The exten-
sion is automatically granted,
and it gives you until Aug. 15,
2005, to file your return.
Be aware, however, that an
extension to file does not
extend your time to pay. The
IRS will still assess interest on
any unpaid tax balance. In
addition, unless you pay at
least 90 percent of your esti-
mated tax liability by April 15,
you may be hit with a late-
payment penalty.
In certain circumstances,
even if you have no problem
submitting your tax returns
by the deadline, getting an

extension might still be a
good idea.
If you aren't able to pay all
of the taxes that you owe
today, an extension will allow
you to defer paying some of
your taxes until Aug. 15. As
long as you have paid 90 per-
cent of your total tax liability
by April 15, you should not be
subject to IRS penalties on
the balance due. And even
though you will owe interest
on the shortfall, the rate of
interest charged by the IRS
may be less than the cost of
borrowing elsewhere. /
If you are self-employed
and you need a few extra
months to gather the money
necessary to payyour income
taxes and to fully fund your
retirement plan, you might
also benefit by filing for an

income taxes

extension.
To deduct contributions
made to a retirement plan,
the contributions must be
made prior to the due date of
the tax return, including
extensions. By filing a Form
4868 with the IRS, you have
up to four additional months
to fund your retirement plan.
One strategy commonly
used by self-employed indi-
viduals is to pay the full
amount of taxes due with the
extension, and then to fund
their retirement plans four
months later.
The information in this
article is general in nature
and should not be acted upon
without first checking with a
professional to determine its
applicability to your situa-
tion.

Teach your children financial responsibility

STAFF REPORT .-

April is Financial Literacy
for Youth Month and with
credit-card debt at staggering
levels among college stu-
dents, University of Florida
experts say childhood train-
ing in money management
has never been more impor-
tant.
Though elaborate pro-
grams aimed at wealthy
youngsters have emerged
recently, children from every
income level can and
should learn the basics of
personal finance before leav-
ing home, said Mary Har-
rison, a consumer education
professor with UF's Institute
of Food and Agricultural
Sciences.
"Kids make mistakes, that's
why it's important to teach
them to handle money very
early," said Harrison, who
designed a summer financial
education program, Money
.Mystery, offered in several
Florida counties through the
UF/IFAS statewide extension
service. "Otherwise, they may
have to learn through trial
and error when they get out
on their own, and the stakes
are higher."
Credit-card debt among
college students skyrocketed
in the early 1990s, according
to the lending agency Nellie
Mae, a leading provider of
higher-education loans.
In 2002 the agency pub-
lished a study showing that
among 600 U.S. undergradu-
ates at public and private
four-year institutions, 83 per-
cent had at least one credit
card, and those with cards
carried an average balance of
more than $2,300. A similar
study of graduate students,
published in 2004, showed

that 96 percent had one or
more credit cards, with an
average debt of more than
$7,800.
"One of the main reasons
young people drop out of col-
lege today is to work to pay
credit-card debt," Harrison
said. "That can have dire con-
sequences because once
you're out of college you may
not manage to get back in."
Financial training should
begin early and much of it
needs to happen at home, she
said.
Parents can start by em-
phasizing the relationship be-
tween money and work, Har-
rison said. When children ask
for expensive toys or clothes,
parents should let them pay
for them, earning money do-
ing odd jobs. It's a good idea
to open savings accounts for
children as soon as they begin
making their own purchases.
"When children learn to
save they start to develop
financial priorities," Harrison
said. "By the time you save
enough to buy something
expensive, you may find you
don't want it enough to give,
up all your hard-earned
money."
Other early lessons should
include comparison shop-
ping and simple budgeting,
she said. Children should be
encouraged to notice whe-
ther they use the things they
buy, to educate them about
the pitfalls of impulse pur-
chasing.
Though parents are the
best teachers of financial
management, they shouldn't
hesitate to consult outside
sources, said Jo Turner, a UF
professor of family and con-
sumer economics. Banks,
investment brokers and other
firms have recently begun to

offer financial camps and
courses aimed at wealthy
youngsters, which can carry a
hefty price tag. But many pro-
grams are available at no cost
to consumers, she said.
One example is the nation-
wide High School Financial
Planning Program offered by
the National Endowment for
Financial Education, Turner
said. Available to schools,'
clubs and church groups, the
program teaches teens what
they need to know to survive
on their own. It includes units
on financial planning, career
planning, budgeting, saving
and investment, credit and
insurance.
In Florida, the program is
cosponsored by the UF/IFAS
extension service, and par-
ents can learn more by con-
tacting their local county
extension agent. On a nation-
al level, information is avail-
able online at nefe.org/hsfla/
index.html.
Financial institutions na-
tionwide are beginning to
offer free programs aimed at
individual families, said
Laura Levine, executive direc-
tor of Jumpstart Coalition for
Personal Financial Literacy, a-
national, nonprofit organiza-
tion that promotes financial
education for youth, based in
Washington, D.C.
"More and more institu-
tions are realizing that edu-
cating their customers and
prospective customers is an
important part of their busi-
ness," Levine said.
Levine's Web site,
Jumpstart.org, includes a
searchable database describ-
ing more than 500 education-
al products and programs
from a variety of providers,
many offered at no cost to
consumers.

S AND GOINGS

CNL awarded the 2004
Mont Blanc Award to the top
3 percent of its 194 retirement
communities. The award rec-
ognizes communities that
have excelled and shown the
importance of a great operat-
ing team, and acknowledges
the communities that consis-'
tently focus on the quality of
care and service without
compromise.
HarborChase of Venice is
managed by Harbor Retire-
ment Associates, located in
Vero Beach, Fla.
Copy that
Staples Inc. is urging its
small business and home-
office customers to keep a
hard copy of their tax returns.
To make it easy, through April
15 at Staples Copy & Print
Centers in the Venice area,
Staples will provide free
copies of 2004 tax returns.
Staples Copy & Print Centers
can be found at the following
locations:
4291 South TamiamiTrail,
Venice

1825 Tamiami Trail, Port
Charlotte
"We have all become so
comfortable storing and
sending data electronically,
that many people are not
keeping hard copies of
important documents. Noth-
ing is easier to access and
more reliable than a paper
copy of your taxes," said John
Burke, senior vice president
of business services at
Staples. "We're hoping we can
save our customers future
time and money by offering
free copies of tax returns."
Staples also has launched
the Let Staples Pay Your Taxes
Sweepstakes in stores nation-
wide where customers can
enter for a chance to win up
to $25,000 of their 2004 feder-
al income tax liability. There is
no purchase necessary to
enter the sweepstakes and
one nationwide winner will
be chosen at random for the
prize. If the winner drawn
does not pay federal taxes,
Staples will present him or
her with a $5,000 prize.

OBITUARIES

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2005

Henry Baum
Henry Baum ofVenice died
Saturday, April 9,2005. He was
87.
He was born Sept. 8, 1917,
in Germany and moved to the
area in 1979 from Appleton,
Wisc. He was a retired chem-
ist with the Institute of Paper
Chemistry and graduated
from Ecole Polytechnique
Federal in Zurich, Switzer-
land. He was a member of the
American Chemical Society
and the American Contract
Bridge League.
Survivors include nieces
and nephews.
Contributions: Memorial dona-
tions may be made to the
International Committee of the
Red Cross, 19 Ave. de la Paix, CH
1202 Geneva, Switzerland; or
Meals on Wheels, 950 South
Tamiami Trail, Venice, 34285.
Dorothy Bray
Dorothy Davis Bray of Eng-
lewood died Monday, April
11, 2005. She was 98.
She was born April 6, 1907,
in Mexico and came to the
area in 1980 from Milford,
Conn. She was a member of
the Englewood United Meth-
odist Church and was active
in the Congregational Church
and the Woman's Club in
Milford.
Survivors include a son,
Ronald of San Francisco, Calif.;
a daughter, Bonnie ofVenice; a
brother, Donald of Milford;
seven grandchildren; and nine
great-grandchildren.
Services: A memorial service
will be held at a later date.
Lemon Bay Funeral Home is in
.charge of arrangements.
Natalie A. Chiuchiolo
Natalie Ann Chiuchiolo of
Venice died Sunday, April 10,
2005. She was 26.
She was born June 9, 1978,
in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.,
and moved to Venice one year
ago from North Palm Beach.
She was a member of St.
Clare's Catholic Church.
Survivors include her par-
ents, Janice and Emanuel of
Venice; and two brothers,
Emanuel I of Miami. Fla.,
and Joseph of Venice.
Services: No services are plan-
ned at this time. Farley Funeral
Home is in charge of arrange-
ments.
Contributions: Memorial dona-
tions may be made to Hospice of

POLICE BEAT
Closing in ,
Investigators have new in-
formation that may lead to
the hit-and-run driver in-
volved in a fatal motorcycle
crash in which a Nokomis
man died April 10.
"Between Friday, April 8,
and Saturday, April 9, near
Gillard Road in Zolfo Springs,
a small yellow car was seen
with the suspected hit-and-
run vehicle," Florida Highway
Patrol Traffic Homicide Cpl.
David R. Brunner wrote in his
updated report.
Barry S. Patterson, 43, 306
Palmetto Road, Nokomis,
died at the scene after a 1988
Dodge truck turned in front of
him on State Road 64 a mile
west of Bear Bay Road in
Myakka City.
His ,wife, Vikki, 43, a pas-
senger on the motorcycle, was
seriously injured.
Brunner also stated that on
April 10 at 6:40 p.m. (the date
and time of the crash), a small
white car was following the
light-blue 1988 Dodge Ram
truck before, during and after
the crash.
"This white vehicle fol-
lowed the hit-and-run vehicle
into one of the Falkner Farm
(migrant) labor camps locat-
ed at 35100 State Road 64 East
in Myakka City," Brunner stat-
ed in the report.
While the search for the
driver continues, police were
able to locate the abandoned

truck in a wooded area not far
from the accident scene.
According to the FHP re-
port, the Pattersons were go-
ing west on their 1977 Kawa-
said motorcycle. Barry Patter-
son pulled out to pass the
truck. The truck turned left
onto a farm road and into the
path of the motorcycle.
The Pattersons, both wear-'
ing helmets, were thrown off
the motorcycle.

Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand
Blvd., Sarasota, 34238; or Amer-
ican Cancer Society's Winn Dixie
Hope Lodge Center, 1121 N.W.
14th St., Miami, 33136.
Dorothy M. Eckland
Dorothy M. Eckland of
Venice died Saturday, April 9,
2005. She was 86.
She was born on Oct. 12,
1918, in Chicago, Ill., and
moved to the area in 1974
from Lansing, Ill. She was a
former employee of Chicago
Motor Club in Chicago and
attended Englewood Meth-
odist Church.
Survivors include two sis-
ters, Ellen Arcomano of
Bainbridge Island, Wash., and
Lillian Carlson of Munster,
Ind.; three nieces; and three
nephews.
Services: A memorial service
will be held at a later date.
Contributions: Memorial dona-
tions may be made to Hospice
of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand
Blvd., Sarasota, 34238.
William B. Eichelberger
William Baldwin Eich-
elberger of Collegeville,
Pa., formerly of Venice,
died Tuesday, April 12,
2005. He was 88.
He was born Oct. 16, 1916,
in Plainfield, N.J., and came
to Venice from Harundale,
Md., in 1959. He served as a
veteran's service officer for
the Sarasota County Board of
Commissioners for 18 years,
until his retirement in 1978.
He was a U.S. Marine Corps
veteran of World War II and a
member of the Venice Pres-
byterian Church.
He was also a member of
the Marine Corps President's

Detail out of Warm Mineral
Springs, Ga., a past member
of Florida Civil Defense 159, a
past advisor for the Explorer
Scouts in Baltimore, Md., and
Venice, past chaplain and
member of American Legion
Post 159 of Venice and a life
member of the Veterans of
ForeignWars.
Survivors include two
sons, George of Atlanta, Ga.,
and Franklin of Collegeville;
one granddaughter; and one
great-granddaughter.
Services: Visitation will be on
April 15 from noon until service
time at 1 p.m. at Farley Funeral
Home. Burial will follow at
Venice Memorial Gardens
Cemetery.
John J. Kelly Jr.
John Joseph Kelly Jr.,
a winter resident of
Nokomis, died Wed-
nesday, April 6, 2005.
He was 79.
He was born Nov. 8, 1925,
in Troy, N.Y., and came to
Nokomis as a winter resident
15 years ago. He was a mem-
ber of.St. Paul the Apostle
Catholic Church in Troy, a
member of the Elks of Wat-
erveliet, N.Y., and a U.S. Navy
veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his wife
of 39 years, Marion of Noko-
mis and Waterveliet; and a
son, John III of Waterveliet.
Services; A memorial service
will be held in New York.
Contributions: Memorial dona-
tions may be made to a charity
of choice.
Lloyd D. Kittle
Lloyd D. Kittle of Venice
didI April 13, 2005. He was 86.
He was born March 17,

1919, in Wirt County, W.V.,
and came to Venice in 1978
from Circleville, Ohio. He
attended Ohio University,
and served in the Navy during
World War II. He was an engi-
neer and plant supervisor at
the Poston and Picway plants
for Columbus & Southern
Ohio Electric for 34 years
before his retirement in 1978.
He was a 50-year member of
the 32nd degree of Lodge 232
of the F&AM in Lockbourne,
Ohio. He was a charter mem-
ber of the Sahib Shriner's
Temple in Sarasota and also
of the Columbus Shrine, and
a member of the Columbus
Royal and Ancient Accepted
Scottish Rite.
Survivors include his wife
of 67 years, Helen of Venice; a
daughter, Ava Ann Golds-
berry of Naples; two sons,
Ralph of Baltimore, Ohio, and
Maurice of Cleveland, Ohio;
four sisters Marie Whitlock
and Maxine Staats, both of
Parkersburg, W.V, Virginia
Full of Hopewell, Va., and
Catherine Hess of West
Lafayette, Ohio; three broth-
ers, Billy Lee of Coschocton,
Ohio, James of Mann, WV,,
and& Rollin of Ravenswood,
WV; 10 grandchildren; and 11
great grandchildren. .
Services: Visitation will be
Friday, April 15, 4-7 p.m. at *
Farley Funeral Home. Afuneral
service will be held on Saturday,
April 16, at 11 a.m. at the Peale
Chapel of Grace United
Methodist Church.
Contributions: Memorial dona-
tions may be made to Hospice
of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand
Blvd., Sarasota, 34238; or Grace
United Methodist Church, 400 E.
Field Ave., Venice, 34285.

Eugene K. Lampkin
Eugene K. Lampkin
of Venice died Sunday,
April 10, 2005. He was
88.
He was born Nov. 13, 1916,
in Cincinnati, Ohio, and mov-
ed to the area in 1980 from
there.
He was a retired police
sergeant for the city of Cin-
cinnati and served in the U.S.
Army during World War II,
receiving the Purple Heart.
He was a member of
Venice United Church of
Christ and the 37th Division
Veteran's Association.
Survivors include his wife
of 58 years, Betty; a brother,
Donald of Cincinnati; and a
nephew.
Services: A memorial service
will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday,
April 21, in the Village On The
Isle Renaissance Room.
Inurnment will be at Venice
Memorial Gardens.
Contributions: Memorial dona-
tions may be made to Hospice of
Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand
Blvd., Sarasota, 34238.
Phyllis E. Layton
Phyllis E. Layton of Venice
died Friday, April 8, 2005. She
was 82.
She was born April 16,
1922, in Watertown, Mass.,
and moved to the area 20
years ago from Indianapolis,
Ind.
She was a member of

Venice Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include her hus-
band of 28 years, William; a
sister, Joyce Emanuelson of
North Reading, Mass.; three
brothers, Phillip Gordon of
Indianapolis, Robert Gordon
of Derry, N.H. and John Gor-
don of Wells, Maine; and 18
nieces and nephews.
Contributions: Memorial dona-
tions may be made to Venice
Presbyterian Church, 111 E.
Firenze Ave., Venice, 34285; or a
charity of choice.
Gordon A. P. McCormick
Gordon Arthur Patrick Mc-
Cormick of Venice died April
8, 2005. He was 73.
He was born Dec. 31, 1931,
in Plymouth, United King-
dom, and moved to this area
in 1988 from Singapore.
He was an engineer for
Westinghouse, living all over
the world for 31 years.
Survivors include his wife,
Monique of Venice; two sons,
Jean Philippe of Newbury-
port, Mass.,. and Christian of,
Paris, France; and four grand-
children.
Services: Visitation will be at
Farley Funeral Home on Satur-
day, April 16, at 3 p.m., with a
funeral service to follow at 3:30
p.m.
Contributions: Memorial dona-
tibns may be made to the
Christian Children's Fund, 2821
Emerywood Parkway,
Richmond, VA 23294.

D ining out in the Venice area can be an
enjoyable and rewarding experience with
the variety of restaurants and locations to
choose from. A snowbird takes you on an eating
extravaganza at some of her favorites.

One of the reasons we
snowbirds choose Venice as
our winter nest is thde humon-
gous number of places where
you can eat outside in the
fresh air without worrying
about rain, sleet, soot or
snow.
You can dine at sidewalk
cafes, on the waterfront, or in
a fishing camp. While munch-
ing on seafood, ethnic food
and decadent desserts, you
can watch boats, birds, dol-
phins, sunbathers, fishermen,
banjo players, shoppers,
ka-aks or cars.
Though I tried to hit all the
places where one can dine al
fresco, it was virtually impos-
sible. And new outdoor din-
ing venues seem to pop up
with regularity. Doing your
own research on this subject
can be a lot of fun, although it
also could be a bit broaden-
ing.
Begin with these sugges-
tions but check the phone
book and restaurant ads in
this newspaper for other
ideas. Call individual restau-
drants for additional infornma-
don.
Dining along
the waterfront
Sharkv's On The Pier, 1600
Harbor Drive (488-1456) is
the only full-senice restau-
rant on Venice Beach. It is one
of the places we usually take
our winter guests. It is open
for lunch and dinner seven
days a week, and sometimes
features entertainment.
Sharky's has good food, fan-
tastic sunsets and a nautical
atmosphere width sea crea-
tures mounted on the wall
and hanging from the ceiling.
There also is a live aquarium.
The \iew of die beach is spec-
tacular, especially from the
deck. In lanuary we saw
surfers, swimmers and a 7-
foot shark brought to shore.
Sharky's is adjacent to the

large, newly reconstructed
Venice Municipal Pier where
admission is free and you can
fish without a license.
.Two other options at the
beach are snack bars, where
you can get an inexpensive
breakfast or lunch. One is the
-Concession Stand at the
Venice Public Beach and the
other is Anita's Sandcastle
Cafe near the South Jetty. The
Sandcastle claims to be the
home of the "World Famous
Beach Dog." It's a great place
to take kids, hobnob with
fishermen and tourists.
If you brown bag it or fast
food it, the beach near the
jetty has many picnic tables
and benches where people
can sit, eat, drink and bird
watch while also watching the
waves break against the
shore.
Also along the South Jetty,
at 1968 Tarpon Center Drive,
is the Crow's Nest Marina
Restaurant and Tavern. Cus-
tomers come by boat or car to
this place that has been a
Venice landmark since 1976.
Known for its seafood~steaks
and wine list, it features casu-
al dining downstairs in the
lower level bar area and
upscale choices on the sec-
ond floor, where diners can
enjoy fabulous .iews of the
Intracoastal Waterway and
the Gulf of Mexicoto the west.
Because our kids knew how
much we loved this place,
they bought us a gift certifi-
cate here as a Chrismias gift.
Another waterfront restau-
rant we frequent is Marker IV
Oyster Bar located at Fish-
erman's Wharf beneath the
Hatchett Creek Bridge at the
northern entrance to Venice.
It opens daily at 11 a.m. and
has the same menu all day
long. Marker lV provides great
seafood and a beautiful view
of the harbor. It has an ice
cream store, a cute gift shop
and boats to charter nearby.

This is one place where you
can be outside, even when it
rains, for there are several
taBles under cover yet techni-
cally outside and along die
edge of the water.
There are additional water-
front dining options in the
nearby towns of Nokomis and
Osprey. Check them out.
More condos are coming so
some of them may not be
here next year.
Peoplewatch at sidewalk
cafes in downtown Venice
The Tomato Patch, 125 W.
Venice Ave. (488-0828), start-
ed out as a liquor store, then
became a produce market
and recendv a vegetarian
restaurant. No longer totally
vegetarian, The Tomato Patch
is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday through Saturday. It
serves a wide variety of deli-
cious healthy foods, a Quiche
and Soup of dithe Day, old-fash-
ioned deli sandwiches and
stylish grinders. A popular
menu item among the locals
is its "Vita-nonmeata-veg-
amnin." Sounds like something
once concocted on the old "I
Love Lucy" TV show. The
restaurant offers dine in, carry
out, free delivery and full ser-
vice catering.
*Nearly next door, lames
Place, 117W. Venice Ave. 1485-
6742), was one of the first
downtown restaurants to
have outdoor dining. It serves
breakfast and lunch and fea-
tures great English and Irish
food and decor: The soup is
homemade. The corned beef
is cooked six hours and makes
wonderful sandwiches. James
Place's corned beef and cab-
bage draws in many cele-
brants on St. Paddy's Day. It's a
fun place to eat. It also is a fun
place to go to the restroom.
The aisle leading to the rest-
rooms is covered with hun-
dreds of antique British Com-
ic Cards from Brighton Beach.
Where else but in America
could you have a combina-
tion English and Irish dining
establishment and British/Ir-
ish humor?
Across the street, at 116 W
Venice Ave., Cafe Venice (484-
1855), is open for lunch and
dinner. It offers casual fine

dining in an elegant romantic
setting. It also offers outside
sidewalk dining; however, due
to the ambiance inside most
people choose to eat in.
Around the corner, at 110
S. Nokomis Ave., Venice Wine
& Coffee (484-3667), has won
awards for the best cup of cof-
fee, best wine shop and best
wine list. It serves cheese
plates, apple fritters, bagels.
muffins, cinnamon buns,
chocolate chip cookies and a
homemade soup of the day. It
opens Monday through Sat-
urday at 8 a.m. and closes at 6
p.m. Monday through
Thursday. On Fridays and
Saturday Venice Wine re-
mains open until 8 p.m. On
Sunday its hours are noon to
4 p.m. This is a nice place for a
light breakfast, lunch, dinner
or pick me up.
Farther west, T.J. Carney's,
231 W. Venice Ave. (480-9244),
is an Irish pub and grill that is
jumping noon and night.
Tasty food and night-time
entertainment attract locals
and snowbirds alike. Res-
ervations are suggested in the
evening because the enter-
tainment often draws a
crowd. On Mondays at 6:30
p.m. Trivia Games with Nlike
begin, on Thursday evenings
a Dixieland Jazz band plays.
and on the remaining five
evenings crowd-pleaser Ken
McBride sings a variety of
songs, many of them Irish.
and leads a highly participa-
tive sing-a-long.
The Soda Fountain, 349 W.
Venice Ave. (412-98601, of all
the restaurants in Venice, is
the one we frequent die most.
Its homemade sandwiches
and soups are excellent and
its ice cream shakes, sodas
and banana splits are made
just the way I made them as a
soda jerk in the 50s. How
could there be too many calo-
ries in an ice cream soda
made with sugar-free ice
cream?
One street over, at 220 W.
Miami Ave., Althea's (484-
5187) has been serving cus-
tomers American and conti-
nental cuisine for 13 years.
Open for breakfast, lunch and
dinner, Althea's nearly always
has people waiting to dine al

Martha Hubert, a seasonal resident of Venice, waits for a friend
to join her for lunch at The Tomato Patch.

Jimmy and Carolyn Ames of Bridgewater, Mass., enjoy lunch at
T.J. Carney's on West Venice Avenue. They winter in Venice.

fresco, where they can watch
people enjoying the specialty
shops along the avenue. Al-
thea's has an interesting Vic-
torian atmosphere and good
food. On Friday'arid Saturday
evenings Bud Buckley per-

forms folk and acoustic mu-
sic.
On the north side of down-
town Venice. there are three
options for outdoor dining.

A record-breaking "Fill
The Boot" to benefit Mus-
cular Dystrophy Association
took place the first weekend
in April in Nokomis.
The committed men of the
Nokomis Volunteer Fire De-
partment put themselves out
there again for another com-

munity those individuals
and families served by the
Muscular Dystrophy Asso-
ciation. Along with their
brothers and sisters from the.
Suncoast Fire Fighters and
Paramedics Local #2546,
Nokomis joined firefighters
up and down the Gulf Coast

and hit the streets for "Jerry's
Kids."
Nokomis Volunteer Fire
Fighters were at the inter-
section of Laurel and U.S. 41
and raised the most money
by the department to date,
$4,155.
MDA helps children and

adults who, are affected by
any of 43 neuromuscular
diseases covered by MDA's
comprehensive medical ser-
vices and research programs.
No fees are charged to those
served by MDA and no gov-
ernment funding is received
by N IDA.

Also information on nutrition, preventive
health awareness, and alternative medicine.

ACGE ON THE ISLE
YDAY'S A NEW DAY

S 900 Tamiami Tr. S.

Venice, FL

For more information, call
941-484-9753 Ext. 1139

OPP6ORTUNITY

44SLPNS M

I'M BEING SO LD
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Venice Yacht Club $100.00 per person

Black Tie Optional
Tickets are limited and are available at the Venice Art Center
Dinner, Auction, Dancing A Venice Art Center Fundraiser
485-7136
All pigs will be picked up on April 23rd for cleaning and repair.
Pre Auction viewing April 251-29[1 at the Venice Art Center
Bidding Available online now at www.VenicePigsInParadise.com
Sponsored by Venice Gondolier Sun, Ne an D-e Ree
VWaierford Homes, AG Edwards and Colonial Bank Ic ,,-\U460 -

Circle Books, 478 John Ring-
ling Blvd., Sarasota, 388-2850.
* 10:30 a.m., Judy Quealy signs
copies of "It's Not Funny" and
"Return of Dewey Dewdrop,"
two books for children.
* 1 p.m., Jean Marie Burton,
R.N., local author and basset
lover, signs copies of her
book, "Agnes and Edgar, A-
Basset Love Story."
Kayak trip ;
The American Littoral Society.
Southeast Region, sponsors a
kayak trip on the Myakka
River, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Equip-
ment and training provided.
Cost: $20 for ALS members,
$25 for nonmembers, plus
park entrance fee. RSVP to
John at 966-7308.
Women's film festival
The sixth annual Women's
International Video-Film
Festival,' "Through Women's
Eyes," runs April 15 and. 16
at The Players Theatre, 838
North Tamiami Trail, Sara-
sota. The event features local
directors, as well as films by
women around the globe.
Tickets for individual sessions
are $6. Proceeds 'benefit
UNIFEM, the women's fund
'at the United Nations. For
information on the event,
including the fund-raiser
reception and box supper
events, visit throughwom-
enseyes.com or call 284-1027.-
Watercolor show
Meet .watercolorist Rosalie.
Silver at the Towles Court
Walk, 6-10, p.m. at 1938
Adams Lane, Suite 102 in
Sarasota. See her exhibit,
A Watercolor Invitation,
through June 16. For more
information, call 330-9817.

SATURDAY,
APRIL 16

Dances
* The German American
Friendship Club's April Dance
takes place at 7 p.m. at the
South Venice Yacht Club, 4425
South Yacht Club Drive.
Music by Jess & Joan; beer,
wine and soft drinks provid-
ed. Tickets are $10 for mem-
brs and $12 for nonmembers.
RSVP to Soiija at 497-2692.
* Bay Indies holds a dance at
7:30 PL_. at 950 Ridgewood
Ave. in Venice. Music by Tom
Mobley. BYOB: snacks and
setups provided. Singles wel-
come. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $9 at the door.

* Gotta Dance Studio holds
free beginning dance lessons
Saturday, 10-11 a.m. at 303
South Tamiami Trail in
Nokomis. Call 486-0326.
Humanists meeting
The Gulf Coast Humanist
Association meets at noon at
the Family Table Restaurant,
14132 Tamiami Trail, North
Port. The group discusses dig-
nity and compassion in dying:
Pope John Paul II vs. Terri
Schiavo, private rights vs.
government interference.
Everyone is welcome. Call
475-4432.
The great outdoors
* Explore the marine life of
Sarasota Bay at New Pass.with
the American Littoral Society,
Southeast Region, 9:30-11:30
a.m. Use the Quickpoint park-
ing area. Wear hard-soled
sneakers and sunscreen. Cost:
$3 for ALS members, $5 for
nonmembers, kids free. RSVP
to Ruth at 366-9479.
* Enjoy a guide kayak paddle
from South Creek to Oscar
Scherer State Park, 9 a.m.-
noon. Meet at the boat ramp
at the park. Bring your own
kayak and gear. Contact Jack
at (941) 475-0796 or john.
taylor@verizon.net.
Cleanup
Laurel Community Cleanup
takes place 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Clean out your garage and
trim up your yard. Free
dumpsters will be available at
the Collins and Church Street
area and at Laurel Park., For
information, call 861-6500.
Music events

PHOTO COURTESY OF
SARASOTA FOLK CLUB
* The Sarasota Folk Club holds
a benefit for WSLR at 7:30 p.m.
at the Sailing Squadron, 1717
Ken Thompson Parkway,
Sarasota. Performing are Bill
Schustik with Mindy Sim-
mons and James Hawkins
(above). The public is wel-
come to this fund-raiser for
Sarasota's proposed commu-
nity radio station. For more
information, call 966-4727.
* Venice's favorite band,;
Bandana, performs 9:30 p.m.-
1:30 a.m. at Club 41, 2255
South Tamiami Trail in Venice.
Call 493-9802.

PHOTO COURTESY
OF CHRISTINE BOLTON'
Christine Bolton, director of
marketing at Mission Valley
Country Club, got to "step up"
to the new CXT truck from
International. At 21 feet long
with a 9 foot cab, it's the
largest production pick-up
truck on the market. The CXT
was on display at the Annual
NAVSTAR lunch at Mission
Valley.

Twin Lakes Park is the site for
Sarasota County's annual Big
Truck Day, 10 'a.m.-2 p.m. at
6700 Clark Road in Sarasota.
Kids of all ages can enjoy a
day of honking horns, moving
levers and climbing in and
out of big trucks. The event is
free. Call 861-5000 for more
information.
Culture showcase
The fifth annual Arts & Cul-
ture showcase takes place 10
a.m.-3 p.m. downtown Venice
in Centennial Park at the
Gazebo. Admission is free for

Concert
Wesley John Schumacher conducts the Venice Symphony
Concert in performances Saturday, April 16 at 4 p.m. and
8 p.m. at Venice Church of the Nazarene, 1535 E. Venice Ave.
Call 488-1010 for tickets.

Do the Venice shuffle
The Venice Shuffleboard Club meets at 9 a.m. every Monday,
Wednesday and Friday. Lessons available. Call Barbara at.
485-1678.

Market
Visit the Farmer's Market every Saturday. 8 a.m.-noon, down-
town Venice in Centennial Park, at the corner of Tampa and
Nokomis avenues. Choose from fresh produce, breads, flowers.
herbs, teas, coffee, cheese and more. For more information,
call 484-3801.

Circle Books, 478 John Ring-
ling Blvd., Sarasota, 388-2850.
* 11 a.m., Gilberto Rios signs
"The Nazca Lines and the
Red Bicycle Club," a children's
book for 10 years and older.
* 1 p.m., Lenore Hart signs
"Ordinary Springs," a novel of
Florida girlhood.
Family tree
The Genealogical Society of
Sarasota holds its mronthl
meeting at 10 a.m. in the
Geldbart Auditoriumn of Selhv
Library, 1331 First St. Speaker
is Ann Shank, Sarasota
County Historian. For more
information, call 861-1122.

SUNDAY,
APRIL 17

Music events
* Internationally acclaimed
pianists Chee-Hung Toh and
Dennis Lee perform "2 & 4
Hands: An Afternoon of
Classical Piano Masters," 3-5
p.m. at the Jewish Community
Center of Venice, 600 North
Auburn Road. Tickets are $15
for members, $18 for non-
members, and are available
at the JCCV or the Paper Pad
on Venice Avenue. For more
information, call 484-2022.
* The Suncoast Concert Band,'
under the direction of Leo
Laier, performs at 7:30 p.m. at
Payne Park Auditorium, 2100

E. Laurel St. in Sarasota. Call
955-9452.

OnStage open house

American Boyhood," a me-
moir of growing up in the
1950s.

MONDAYI,
APRIL 18
Seniors seminar
Senior Friendship Centers in
Venice, 2350 Scenic Drive,
presents Tips for Transition--
ing, 9:30-11 a.m. MaryWright,
Community Relations for
Bon Secours Place leads But
I'm Not Ready, a seminar.
Do you find yourself over-
whelmed with the thought of
moving? What exactly is
Assisted Living? For more
information, call 584-0075.
GPS class
Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla
8-6 of Venice offers a four-
session GPS class, 7-9 p.m. on
Monday and Thursdays,
beginning April 18. The
course is composed of three
lessons and one lab and cov-
ers GPS theory, its history
and perspective, selecting a
GPS and more. Register at 6:30
p.m. before first class. Meet at
the Coast Guard Auxiliary
Training Center, 1200 Harbor
Drive in Venice. Fee: $40. For
more information, call Public
Affairs Officer Al Bidwick at
492-5904 or, visit www.
cga uxvenice.org.
Chinese film festival
The ,Players Theatre, 838
North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota,
hosts the fifth annual Chinese
film festival. "Summer Snow"
will be featured at 5 p.m.,
followed by "Little Chinese
Seamstress". 'at 7:30 p.m. An
optional Chiniese buffet will
be served between the films
and an audience discussion
takes place after the films.
Tickets available in advance
UI- r d. U--i- f- riZ C-.

The OnStage Theatre Corp. or at eu
announces the grand opening Package
of its new facility at 256, W. P age (-
Miami Ave. in Venice, 2-8 p.m. Call'365-
,,OnSt4ge Theatre produces. Masons
several shows a year, as well The Veni
as offering drama and dance, as
classes for kids and adults., holds inner a
There \-ill be signup and in- ineret
formation about The OnStage Venice Ai
Chorale and the OnStage cme. FA
Dancers. Call 486-9060 for call 484-0
more information.

Kayak trip
Explore the Myakka River
estuary by kayak with the
American Littoral Society, 9
a.m.-2 p.m. Learn about the
flora and fauna in a relaxing
open-seated kayak. Training
and equipment provided.
Bring sunscreen, water and
insect repellent. Cost! $30 for,
ALS members, $35 for non-
members. For more informa-
tion, call John at 966-7308.
Legion entertainment
Larry Williams performs, 4-8
p.m. at the American Legion
No-Vel Post 159, 145 E. Venice
Ave. For more information,
call 488-1157.
Healthy cooking
Englewood Community Pres-
byterian Church Senior Cen-
ter, 405 South McCall Road,
hosts a cooking class demon-
strating healthy ideas for
spring. Tuesday, April 19,
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Uni-
versity of Florida/IFAS-Sara-
sota County Extension staff
demonstrate. Class is free but
space is limited. RSVP by April
17 to Cheryl at 584-0031 or
584-0090.
Elks ball
The Venice-Nokomis Elks
hold a Meet Your New Of-
ficers Inaugural Ball at 5 p.m.
at 119 E. Venice Ave. Social
hour will be followed by a
filet mignon dinner at 6 p.m.
Entertainment .by the Musical
Monkeyshines with Russell
Heath, 40s and 50s' dancing
and one-hour show. Tickets
are $15. For information, call
the lodge at 486-1854.

Music men
* The Venice Gondoliers
Men's Barbershop Chorus re-
hearses Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
at Venice-Nokomis United
Methodist Church, '208 Palm
Ave., Nokomis. All men .who
like to sing are welcome. For
more information, call 484-
6333 or 484-3966.
* Hear live acoustic music at
Books-A-Million, 4230 South
Tamiami Trail in Venice, every
first and third Monday, 7-9:30
p.m. For more information,
call Richard Brobst at 408-
9515.

TUESDAY,
APRML 19
Bay biocruise
Enjoy a hands-on learning
experience about the critters
on Sarasota Bay aboard the
Carefree Learner, accompa-
nied by a marine biologist
from the American Littoral
Society, 2-4 p.m. Leave from
Bayfront Park. Cost: $10 for
ALS members, $15 for non-
members. RSVP with Carol
at 923-5125.
Association meetings
* The South Venice Civic
Association meets at 7 p.m.
at 720 Alligator Drive. Tom
Minnidh, president of the
Soivhwest County Alliance of
Homeowners Associations,
speaks about developments
affecting the Venice and
Englewood communities.
Dessert and coffee after the
meeting. Everyone welcome.
Call 493-0006.
* The Nokomis Area Civic
Association general meeting
takes place at 7 p.m. at the
Nokomis Community Center,
234 East Nippino Trail. Coun-
ty Commissioner Nora Pat-
terson addresses important
local and countywide con-
cerns, followed by a question
and answer period. For more
information, call 486-0012.
Stamps
The Venice Stamp Club meets
at 7 p.m. at Venice Public
Library, 300 S. Nokomis Ave.
Sy Bricker presents Stamps of
the National Park Service.
Newcomers and guests wel-
come. Call Jim at 486-8607 for
more information.
Live music
The Tin Pan Alley Band with
Les Gowan returns to Sen-
ior Friendship Center, each
Tuesday, 1-3 p.m. at 2350
Scenic Drive in Venice.
Elks dinner
The Venice-Nokomis Elks
Lodge hosts a ham dinner,
5-7 p.m. at 119 E. Venice Ave.
Cost is $6. For more informa-
tion, call the lodge at 486-
1854 or Eunice at 493-7624.
Tuesday bingo
Venice Gardens Civic Center,
406 Shamrock Blvd., doors
open at 11 a.m., bingo at
noon. Hot dogs and snacks
available. Public welcome.
Call 493-6541.
Medicare
The Women's Resource Cen-
ter of Sarasota County hosts
The Basics of Medicare Now,
10-11:30 a.m. .at 806 Pine-
brook Road in Venice. Sen-
iors specialist Laura Kitay
explains Medicare changes.
Fee: $5. Call 485-9724.
Military meeting
The Venice Area Chapter of
The Military Officers. Asso-
ciation of America (MOAA)
meets at 11:30 a.m. at The
American Legion Post 159,
145 E. Venice Ave. Mem-
bership is open to anyone
who holds or has held a com- .
mission or warrant in any
component of the armed ser-
vices, coast guard, public
health service or NOAA and
their surviving spouses. Call
412-3592.
Solar energy for the home
Florida House Learning Cen-
ter, 4600 South Beneva Road,
Sarasota, offers a class on
home solar energy, 1-2 p.m.
Douglas Greenlaw discusses
active and passive solar sys-
tems for the home. The class
is free but registration is re-
quired. Call 316-1200.

Verb Anytour," which was
designed to get children more
active in the fight against
obesity, has touched down in
Sarasota and it is here to stay
all summer long.
Verb is an effort sponsored
by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in
partnership with the Obesity
Prevention Coalition of Sara-
sota County. The campaign
was started because of the
obesity among children in
the United States. Sarasota
County is one of only a loca-
tions where the program is
being tested. The program
has had previous success in
Lexington, Ky.
The tour hit three spots in
Sarasota County inlcuding
the Venice YMCA on Center
Road. The Obesity Preven-
tion Coalition of Sarasota
County and the Sarasota
Health Department took an
active role in getting the pro-
grami to the area. The targeted

age of the program is children
age 9-13.
"It challenges kids to be
active," said Meggin Gray, a
spokesperson at the Evalyn
Sadlier Jones YMCA Anytour
event. "They're trying to get
kids to move."
The Sarasota County
Health Department will be
starting a Summer Scorecard,
which will have 24 sites were
children can visit to get the
card stamped. As part of the
program the -sites will have
special deals for card holders.
These sites include recre-
ational and sports facilities
where children will be active.
Those with a full card of
stamps will be rewarded at
the end of the summer with
a final celebration.
According to the Verb Web
site "children today spend less
time being physically active
and more time doing seden-
tary activities. As a result, there
has been an increase in the
number of overweight youth
in the United States and

research shows that being
overweight can increase one's
risk for Type 2 diabetes, high
blood pressure, sleep apnea,
and gall bladder disease."
A news release by Sara-
sota County Health Depart-
ment states that "The ANY-
TOUR helps kids find their
VERB by utilizing common
household items to create
their .own games. At the
Venice stop participants had
the chance to win T-shirts by
shooting hoops. There was
also a Dance Dance Revo-
lution game for kids to play
with. The colorful trailer also-
had a field goal .challenge
with both soccer balls and
footballs and a hockey net
where a broom was used
instead of a hockey stick.
Tips. from the CDC Web
site for parents include:
* When your children say they
are bored, jump start their
bodies and imaginations by
challenging them to combine
elements of two games or
sports to create a brand new

activity.
* Incorporate physical activi-
ties into birthday parties,
family gatherings, and when
your kids' friends come over
to play.
* Children should be active.
after school. All children can
find physical activities they
like to do; offer them choices
and let them discover their
own interests, but make sure
that active play is part of
their day outside of school.
* Choose activity-oriented
gifts such as a jump rope, hik-
ing shoes, or a fitness club
membership. Used sporting
goods stores offer some great
treasures for gear at lower
prices.
* Turn on music to get bodies
moving while indoors and
even to liven up household
chores.
. For more information
about the VERB campaign,
call (941) 861-2997 or visit
http://www.cdc.gov/youth-
campaign/ or www.verbsara-
sota.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SARASOTA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
A Verb Anytour team member directs children participating at the stop made at the Evalyn Sadlier YMCA in Sarasota.
Participation in games won several children T-shirts and other goodies.

I

Venice Gondolier Sun

Ar,%
m *-

5B
FRIDAY
APRIL 15,2005

CONTACT US
(941) 207-1000

Water: Waste

not, want not

Relaxing on the banks of the Myakka River

:~

ELLEN HILLSTROM
COLUMNIST

I gleaned one central mes-
sage from six separate bro-
chures on water conservation
from five different sources: It
is up to us as citizens and
homeowners to share in the
responsibility to stop wasting
water.
Most South Venice subdivi-
sion homes (governed by the
South Venice Civic Associ-
ation) draw water from wells
dug down to the intermediate
aquifer. Mother Nature has
blessed us with an adequate
supply, at this time, but con-
servation from that source is
especially important if we are
to continue to depend on it.
You don't have to go to
extremes to save water, just
remember to use only the
water you need. A few easy
steps I read about deserve
your attention:
A hearty rain eliminates
the need for watering for up
to two weeks. Water restric-
tions remain in place. Even-

numbered houses can water
on Tuesday and odd-num-
bered houses can water on
Sunday. There can be no
watering any day between 10
a.m. and 4 p.m. (For water
violations, contact 861-6100.)
Raise your lawn mower
blade to its highest setting to
encourage grass roots to grow
deeper and grass blades to
hold moisture longer. Apply
fertilizers sparingly.
If you have an automatic
lawn sprinkler system, it is the
law that you install a rain sen- .
sor device or switch that will
, override the irrigation cycle of
the sprinkler system when
adequate rainfall has oc-
curred.
Fix leaks and replace old
plumbing fixtures with water-
saving ones. Repair dripping
faucets. Time your showers to
keep them under five minutes
and install low-flow shower-
heads. Run automatic dish-
washers only when fully
loaded, and set clothes wash-
ers to the appropriate level of
the size of load you are wash-
ing.
Sarasota County govern-
ment has an excellent atlas
that provides you with easy
access to the latest water
quality and pollution infor-
mation, fishing reports, gulf
alerts and tide conditions,
maps and historical pho-
Please see HILLSTROM, 8B

SUN PHOTO BY KHARLI ROSE

An alligator sunbathes along the banks of the Myakka River Friday at Snook Haven.

Juveniles' drug problems concern agency

BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
NORTH PORT ASSISTANT EDITOR

Last year in North Port
there were 447 charges of
juvenile crimes committed by
139 youths. There were 234
referrals to area social recov-
ery agencies for help for these
youths.,
Two cases in point:

T-shirts bearing the face
of a fellow North Port High
School student were worn
last week by several teens in
memory of a 17-year-old who.
recently died of a suspected
drug-related overdose.
Two 17-year-olds in a
vehicle traveling about 45
mph early Tuesday morning
following an "all-night party"

smashed into a vehicle driven
by a mother of five, who died
the next day of those injuries.
According to the Sarasota
Coalition On Substance
Abuse, North Port ranks third
highest in the county for juve-
nile crimes -- including bat,-
tery, breaking and entering,
driving without a license,
vandalism, violent crimes,

alcohol and drug abuse.
"The numbers mean that
some of these youths com-
mitted multiple offenses,"
said Barbara Kochmit, SCOSA
representative. "They break
into someone's home to steal
money for drugs. I will tell you
that coke addicts make the
Please see DRUG, 11B

The most profound tribute
paid to Pope John Paul II was
that he was not only a man of
faith and the church but of
the people, all the people.
Jews along with Catholics
mourn for the man who
stood for humanity and who
did so much to further Jew-
ish Catholic relations and
understanding. More than
any modern pope, John Paul
moved boldly with his words
and actions to remove some
of the ancient barriers be-
tween the two religions.
A story in the New York
Times relates how during
World War II a young semi-
nary student named Karol
Wojtyla saved the life of a 13-
year old Jewish girl who had
escaped from a concentra-
tion camp in the bitter cold
of winter dressed only in her
prison uniform.
Finding her huddled and
neat death in the corner of a
railroad station and ignored

by all, he brought her food
and water. Seeing that she
couldn't stand, he carried her
to a nearby village and then
helped shepherd her to even-
tual safety.
Thirty-four years would
pass before he became Pope
John Paul II and the girl, now
a woman living in Haifa,
Israel, after reading about
him ascending to the papacy,
wrote a letter of appreciation.
More time would pass before
they finally met at the Vatican,
where she thanked him per-
sonally for saving her life.
Putting one hand on her
head and the other hand in
hers, he blessed her. "Come
back, my child," he said as
they parted. And they did
meet again at the YadVashem
Holocaust memorial muse-
um when he visited Jeru-
salem in 2000.
"What moved the young
seminarian student to save
the life of a lost Jewish girl
cannot be known. But it was
clear that it was an act of his
humanity," writes the author
of the story whose grand-
mother was the girl in the
story.
The pope believed not
only in the sanctity of life but
"in the fundamental unique-
ness of each human being."
This belief became his life-
long mission reaching out to
the poor, the stricken and the
helpless wherever they were.

Please see GROSS, 7B

RELIGION BRIEFS

Golf tournament
Christ United Methodist
Church holds its fourth annu-
al golf tournament/youth
mission fund-raiser at Pelican
Pointe Golf & Country Club,
575 Center Road in Venice,
Monday, April 18. Doughnuts
and coffee at noon; shotgun
start at 1 p.m.; dinner and
music at 6 p.m. Tickets are
$25-$70. Proceeds benefit the
Club Whatever Mission Trip
to repair flood damage in
Appalachian Kentucky. For
more information, call 493-
7504.
Ukrainian bazaar
St. Andrew's Ukrainian
Religious and Cultural Center,
4100 South Biscayne Drive in
North Port, invites the public
to a Ukrainian arts and crafts
exhibit, featuring Easter egg
decorating, Ukrainian food
and bake sale. All are wel-
come to this free event,
Friday, April 15, 10 a.m.-6.
p.m. and Saturday, April 16,
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 492-5223
for more information.
Pancakes
Grace United Methodist
Church Men's Club, Triplett
Family Enrichment Center,
,400 E. Field Ave., Venice,
Saturday, April 16, 8-10 a.m.
Adults, $3.50; $1 for children
younger than 12. Shop the
Country Store, 8-10 a.m. Call
486-4153.
'Joyful Gathering'
The Separated and Di-
vorced Ministry of the Dio-
cese of Venice is. holding a
"Joyful Living" gathering for

divorced, widowed, remar-
ried and singles on Saturday,
April 16,8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at St.
Martha's Parish Center in
Sarasota. Keynote speaker is
author Fr. John T. Catoir, JCD.
Cost is $30 per person,
including breakfast and
lunch. For reservations, call
Betty K. or Louise at 484-
9543.
Guest Rabbi at JCCV

PHOTO COURTESY OF JCCV
Speaking on the topic "The
canary in the coal mine,"
Rabbi Bruce Diamond begins
the first of four appearances
as guest rabbi at the Jewish
Community Center of Venice
at 7:30 p.m. Friday April 22.
Cantor MarciVitkus will assist
Rabbi Diamond, who is in his
eighth year as the spiritual
leader of Temple' Beth El in
Fort Myers. Rabbi Diamond
will also lead services at the
JCCV on June 3, July 22 and
29th. The Jewish Community
Center of Venice is located at
600 North Auburn Road off
East Venice Avenue and wel-
comes the public. For infor-
mation, call 484-2022.
Please see RELIGION, 7B

Church welcomes new

assistant youth pastor

PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC DIEHL
Eric and Mary Diehl and their children Noah, 5, and Hannah,
1-1/2, moved to Venice from Pittsburgh to begin a youth.
ministry in Venice.

New Life Assembly of God
inVenice welcomes Eric Diehl
as the new assistant youth
pastor serving the youth of
Venice and abroad in grades
6-12.
Eric and his wife,. Mary, are
graduates of Central Bible
College and are in their 11th
year as youth pastors.
"We have a heart and pas-
sion to see teens come to the
understanding that they are
accepted for who they are and
loved for the right reasons,"
Eric said. "It is our belief and
experience that all a teenager
wants is for someone to show
them, accept them, love
*them, and lead them."
Eric. and Mary's youth

ministry in Venice is called
Generation 360 Turning
the world around one teen at
a time! "That is exactly what
we are about," Eric said.
"Investing in the lives of
teens and showing them that
there is someone out there
that loves them uncondition-
ally and accepts them despite
the past. When teens are
directed on the right path, it
has a trickle-down effect on
the whole community. It is
our desire to raise the 'spirit-
ual climate' for all teens."
Generation 360 meets
Sunday at7 p.m. in the youth
center at 2121 South Tamiami
Trail and can be reached at
493-0775.

Epiphany does
'Late Nite Catechism'
- In honor of the jubilee year
of Epiphany Cathedral, the
parish has organized a bus
trip to see "Late Nite Cate-
chism" at 7 p.m. Friday, April
22. Enjoy a cocktail party 6-7
p.m. in the Epiphany parking
lot at 350 W. Tampa Ave., then
ticket holders will board the
bus for The Players Theatre in
Sarasota. The next jubilee
event will be a Generations of
Mothers Tea, taking place
Saturday, May 7. For more
information, call 484-3505.
Communal seder
Join Chabad of Sarasota for
its annual communal seder,
which includes wine, Hag-
gadah reading and three-
course meal, Saturday, April
23 at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $45 .for
adults, $40 for ages 5-12.
Reservations accepted on a
first-come, first-served basis.
Call 925-0770.
Lecture
What .is the Restoration?
will be presented at 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 24 at the
Church of Jesus Christ of.
Latter-day Saints, Venice
Avenue at Havana Road.
Branch president, Jesse
Wood, will be the speaker.
The public is invited. Re-
freshments served. Call 493-
5594 for more information.
Evensong
Brahms' "Alto Rhapsodie"
will be performed by Rebecca
Price in a solemn evensong,
Sunday, April 24 at 5:15 p.m.
at The Church of the Re-
deemer, 222 S. Palm Ave.,
Sarasota. Call 955-4263 or
visit redeemersarasota.org.
Singles event
Flanzer Jewish Commun-
ity Center hosts a second-
night Passover dinner Sun-
day, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at
Pattigeorge's Restaurant on
Longboat Key. The evening
includes three courses of tra-
ditional foods with a glass of

wine (no seder service). Cost
is $50. RSVP to Laurie at 378-
5568, Ext. 255 or singles@
flanzerjcc.com.
Orphan choir
Horizon Children's Homes
International Kuyasa Kids
choir and dance team visits
Venice at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April
26 at the Church of the
Nazarene, 1535 E. Venice Ave.,
Venice. Most of these child
performers were orphaned
and faced a life living alone
on the streets. Their U.S. tour
takes them to other cities,
including Miami, Houston,
Los Angeles and more. The
performance is free; dona-
tions accepted.
Moms luncheon
Moms In Touch Inter-
national, a prayer ministry of
mothers praying for their
children and- schools, will
hold its annual luncheon
10:45 a.m.-1 pm. Tuesday,
April 26 at The Tabernacle,
4141 'DeSoto ?Road in Sara-
sota. Child care available for
$2 per child. RSVP by April 24
to Beth at 966-0053.
Faith Alive weekend
A Faith Alive Weekend, a
parish event making an
impact on church renewal
through the country, takes
place April 29-May 1 at The
Episcopal Church of the
Good Shepherd, 115 Center
Road in Venice. About 26
guest lay people will be travel-
ing to the church from as far
away as Tennessee to partici-
pate. For more information,
call the church at 497-7286.
Retreats
* Christian mentor Linda
Hovde leads Seeking Sabbath
Peace & Rest A Retreat,
April 29 and 30 at DaySpring
Conference Center in Parrish.
Pray, worship, reflect on
scripture with a small group.,
For costs and registration
options, call 378-1549.
* The Diocese of Venice
Respect Life Department

sponsors a Rachel's Vineyard
retreat for women and men
struggling with the psycho-
logical or spiritual pain of
abortion May 13-15 at Our
Lady of Perpetual Help Re-
treat Center in Venice. A
donation of $100 is requested
to help cover the costs of the
room, meals and retreat
materials. Scholarships are
available. Participation is
confidential and open to all.
To register, call Marina toll-
free at (877) 908-1212 or e-
mail project.rachel@diocese-
-ofvenice.org.
Study
* The Unitarian Universalist
Congregation of Venice, 2300
Edmondson Road at. the cor-
ner of Pinebrook Road, 485-
2105, uucov.com
t Spanish 101, Thursdays,
7-9 p.m., through May 5. Cost
is $35, including textbook.
Call 486-8828.
Calvary Bible Church, 1936
E. Venice Ave., Venice, offers
weekly adult Bible studies,
* featuring Don Clarke of
Outpost Mission teaching
Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. The
Book of Romans will be
explained by video by Wood-
roll Kroll of "Back to the
Bible," at 9 a.m. Pastor Jones
teaches in-depth Bible stud-
ies Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and
6 p.m. The public is wel-
come. Call 485-7070 or visit
CBCVenice.com.
* Wednesday Bible studies
and dinner take place at
Venice-Nokomis United
Methodist Church at 208
Palm Ave., Nokomis. Studies
are at 4 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
A catered dinner (by reserva-
tion) is at 5 p.m.. For more
information, call 488-4137.
National Day of Prayer
The city of Sarasota's Na-
tional Day of Prayer 2005 cel-
ebrations take place Thurs-
day, May 5, at JD Hamel Park
on Main Street and Gulf-
stream Avenue. Bible reading
by students, 9-11:45 a.m.;.
citywide prayer, noon-1 p.m.

Faith-based singles groups host expo

STAFF REPORT

Thursday, May 19 at the
Hyatt Hotel overlooking Sara-
sota Bay, more than 20 region-
al (Bradenton, Venice; Engle-
wood and Sarasota) singles
organizations for ages 25 and
up are coming together to
showcase for one evening ...
everything you need to join a
group or two. This event and
dance is a rare chance to see
lots of singles groups .and sin-
gle people under one roof.
"One is not a lonely num-
ber, being one. without noth-
ing to do is lonely," said Patti
Hirsch, Singles Expo organiz-
er. Hirsch formed Singles
Organizations Unite a non-

profit, with a planning board
to create more awareness of
all these groups. "With a
guesstimate of over 80,000
singles in our area, we need
to get these organizations
together to showcase their
information," Hirsch said.
With more than 54 organi-
zations uncovered for this
expo, they include faith-based
single groups, online dating
services, lunch and dinner
dating services, speed dating,
special interest singles groups,
travel groups and more.
Today, researchers are say-
ing the two main bases for a
quality relationship is meeting
people with similar interests,
and the other base is someone

who shares the same morals.
With the diversity of the orga-
nizations at the expo, you
should find groups that match
these relationship basics.
The expo/dance will be
held Thursday, 6-10 p.m., May
19 at The Hyatt Hotel and
Resort, 1000 Blvd of the Arts;
Sarasota.
The cost of $10 at the door
includes food, cash bar, danc-
ing, exhibits, entertainment
and music. A portion of the
proceeds from this event will
benefit victims of the Asian
Tsunami-American Red Cross
International Relief.
For more information, con-
tact Patti Hir4ch at 921-0730
or palule@juno.com.

GROSS from page 6B

How similar to the Jewish
teaching of tikkun olam,
repairing the world.
The Passover holiday
approaches and with it the
3,000-year-old reminder from
the Torah that God cares
about every one of us. "You
too must love the stranger for
you were strangers in the land
of Egypt" (Deuteronomy
10:19).
We break our matzah and
dip it in the maror, the bitter
herbs symbolizing the suffer-
ing of the Jews in Egypt. And

in our ancient tradition we
are called on to think of the
suffering of the poor and
afflicted here and abroad -
the children living, in poverty
and without hope and .the
ongoing genocide killing and
maiming thousands of inno-
cents in Africa.
An ancient midrash hand-
ed down by rabbis tells us that
Passover must always coin-
cide with the spring season
because both represent the
spirit of hope and optimism.
In that spirit we raise our.

Reading room
The Christian Science
Reading Room is located at
the First Church of Christ,
Scientist, 600 W. Venice Ave.,
* Venice. Hours are Monday,
Wednesday and Saturday, 10
a.m.-1 p.m., and Wednesday
7-7:30 p.m. For more infor-
mation, call the church at
486-1406.
Volunteers needed
Jewish Family & Children's
Service volunteers are needed

wine glass in the hope that
perhaps some day the true
love of humanity will reign in
our land and across the
troubled world as it did in
Pope John Paul II's heart and
soul.
Shalom.
Bennett Gross is the
Communications Chair of
the Jewish Community
Center, a member of the
Catholic/Jewish Speakers
'Bureau and active in
Interfaith Affairs.

to help conduct services for
residents of congregate liv-
ing/assisted living facilities.
Religious service presenters
conduct Shabbat services
once a month and for High
Holy Days, Purim and Pesach,
once annually at one or more
of several sites. Dates and
times are scheduled in
advance and residence staff
provide support. The time
commitment is two-three
hours. Call.Caroline Zucker at
366-2224. I

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VENUE from page 3B

welcome. Fees are $6 per ses-
sion for prepaid or $8 for
walk-ins. The instructor is a
certified yoga instructor and
registered nurse. For more
information, call Alexis at
492-9353.
* Certified Pilates instructor
Randi Green teaches a six-
week beginner Pilates class
Tuesday, at Serenity Gardens
in the Brickyard Plaza in
Venice. Cost is $75 or $15 for
walk-ins; bring a mat. Call
486-3577.

tographs at sarasota.waterat
las.org.
Drink eight glasses of water
a day for your general health.
That amount will not
adversely affect our water
supply ... at least, not yet.
Ellen Hillstrom is the'
South Venice Civic
Association Development
director. She writes a regular
column for this page.

You've got to see it...
Florida's Largest Display
of Brand Name Bar Stools & Dinettes.

Master Gardener of the Hor-
ticultural Department of the
University of Florida speaks
on creating a mixed spring
basket. Lunch at noon. Do-
nation: $3. RSVP by April 20 to
.584-0031 or 584-0090.
Social Security discussion
How to protect Social Security
from privatization effectively
is the topic for discussion at
the Fruitville Library meeting
room, 100 Coburn Road,
Sarasota, 1:30-3 p.m. Spon-
sored by the Democratic Club
of Sarasota, this meeting is
part of a series of moderated
discussions about a different
political or social issue each
month at the library. The pub-
lic is welcome.
Sorodty meeting
The Sarasota-Manatee Chi
Omega Alumnae Association
gets together for its monthly
Lunch Bunch at 11:30 a.m.
at the Hillview Grill, 1920
Hillview St., Sarasota. All
members and their guests are
welcome. RSVP to Virginia at
371-5106.
Cooking class
Author Jeff Morgan conducts
a special cooking class to ben-
efit Forty. Carrots. Family
Center. The class takes place
at 7 p.m. in The Atrium at
Nlorion's Gourmet Market.
Cost: $30. Space is limited.
RSVP to 365-7716.

nation classes ($6 per night)
Tuesday nights at the South
Venice Civic Association
Building on Alligator Drive.
Class sizes are limited and are
offered in seven-week ses-
sions. Call Terri at 423-6945
for more information and
registration.
Women's Club
Jacaranda Women's Club
meets Thursday, April 21 at
the Jacaranda West Country
Club at 1901 Jacaranda Blvd.,
Venice. Buffet lunch at 11:30
a.m., followed by a program.
on flower angel arrange-
ments. Workshop fee is $2;
lunch fee is $12. RSVP to
Dorothy at 497-3921. All Ven -
ice-area women are welcome
to join. For more information,
call Audrey at 497-4513.
Exsultate! concert
The award-winning chamber
choir Exsultate! presents its
final concert of the season,
"Credo! American Visions." at
7:30 p.m. Friday. April 22 and
at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24
at Grace. United Methodist
Church, 400 E. Field Ave.,
Venice, Celebrate the spirit of
the nation with songs by
American composers. Venice
High School's chamber choir
Le Voce di Venezia will be
featured. Tickets are. $15. $5
for students, available at the
door or by calling 496-4977.
Scandinavian Club
The Scandinavian Club of
Venice will be the guests of
the Finnish Club of North
Port at a Share Your Dish pic-
nic, Sunday, April 24 at noon
at the North Jetty in Nokomis.

Bring a place setting and dish
to share. Coffee will be served.
Call Edith at 493-2810 for
more information.
Alumnae event
Sigma Sigma Sigma Alumnae
Association of Sarasota and
Manatee Counties holds its
Founders' Day Luncheon at
Tara Country Club in Bra-
denton to celebrate the soror-
ity's 107th anniversary, 11
a.m. Saturday, April 23. RSVP
to Donna at 408-8058.
Ghost tour
Join Venice Gondolier Sun
writer and local author Kim
Cool on a ghost tour of the
Venice, and Englewood area
on Saturday, April 23. Spon-
sored by St. Petersburg
College, Happy Haunting in
Venice is a day-long tour of
haunted sights with lunch
at Gold Rush Barbecue and
afternoon snack at Luna
Ristorante on the island, both
in Venice. There are haunting
tales at both restaurants.
Tour participants will receive
a copy of "Ghost Stories of
\'enice" and some other sur-
prises along the way. Cost of
the bus tour, meals, snacks,.
book and more is $59 per
person. To learn more or to
register, call Jackie Addis at
the college, (727) 341-4451 or
(727)-341-4441.
Variety show
Lemon Bay Playhouse, 96 W
Dearborn St., Englewood,
presents a \ariety Show, fea-
turing local musicians and
comedy at 8 p.m. April 23 and
at 2 p.m. April 24. Tickets are
$10 and may be reserved by

calling (941) 475-6756.
Benefit concert
The Venice Little .Theatre
Guild announces its final
benefit concert of the 2004-05
Season, "A Tribute to Big
Bands," starring world-famed
trumpeter Leon Merian and
his 14 piece swing band, and
featuring locally known
singer Judy Alexander. The
event takes place Monday,
April 25. Proceeds benefit the
Ruth Brothers Scholarship
Fund. Tickets are $25 at 140
W. Tampa Ave., or by calling
488-1115.
Parenting class
Forty Carrots Family Center
hosts Using Your Values,
Monday, 6-8 p.m., April 25,
May 2 and 9 at 1500 S. Turtle
Ave., Sarasota. The class is
based on the book of the
same name by Harriet Health,
PhD. The three-week session
is $100 with childcare, $70
without. Call 365-7716 to reg-
ister.
Card party lunch
The Even Keels, South Ven-
ice Yacht Club, holds its an-
nual luncheon card party at
noon on Friday, April 29 at
4425 Yacht Club Drive. Ad-
mission is $6. RSVP by April
25 to 497-6873. The public is
welcome.
Card fun
Get up a table and play at the
Venice-Nokomis Woman's
Club, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed-
nesday, April 27 at 200 North
Harbor Drive in Venice. Cost
is $2. For more information,
call 492-5136.

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Congratulat

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in a Special Way!!

Show them just how proud you are! ,
Say congratulations to your special graduate in our annual keepsake Graduation Tabloid on
Wednesday, May 18'". Once again, the Venice Gondolier Sun will publish a special edition
devoted to our graduates. Ads must be pre-paid and can include a photo provided by you.
Deadline is April 29'". Stop in and place your ad today or mail to: Venice Gondolier Sun,
Attention Classified, 200 E. Venice Ave., Venice FL 34285. Call 207-1200 for more information.

Saturday, April 16, in com-
memoration of its 60th an-
niversary, the SS American
Victory will sail out into har-
bor to the Sunshine Skyway
Bridge and back to Berth 271
behind the aquarium on
Channelside Drive in Tampa.
Parking is available at the TPA
Channelside Garage or in the
Florida Aquarium lot. The $95
ticket includes a tour of the
ship, continental breakfast,
lunch on board, reenactors
and retired merchant mar-
iners. memorial service, mu-
sic and a fly-by featuring vin-
tage aircraft. Be ready to
board the ship at 8 a.m. It will
return to the dock at 2 p.m. To
learn more, call (813) 228-
8766 or visit americanvicto
ry.org.

Tomorrow is the last day
on which applications for
Suncoast Chorale scholar-,

ships may be postmarked.
Open to graduating seniors at
Venice, Englewood, North
Port and Port Charlotte
schools, the scholarship re-
quires a minimum 2.5 grade
point average and an audi-
tion. Auditions will be held at
10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23,
at the Venice Public Library*
Meeting Room, 300 S. Noko-
mis Ave. Interested students
should call Harriet Paske at
485-0633 for application
forms.

The second installment of
"Revenge of the Divas" will be
this weekend at the Venice
Little Theatre, 140 W. Tampa
Ave., on the island. Set in a
Hollywood cabaret, the show
will be a fun-filled trip
through the music of the
movies, with shows April 17
and 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets are
$20. Call the box office at 488-
1115.

The ,OnStage Theatre
Corp. holds an open house to
celebrate its grand opening in
Venice, at 256 Miami Ave.,
Sunday, April 17,2-8 p.m. The
company, led by John McKay,
will produce several shows
per year and tour them from

Charlotte to Manatee coun-
ties. The first show is expected
to be "Rockin' at the Palace,"
an original production by
McKay, planned for produc-
tion in May 2005. For more
information and to be added
to the mailing list, call 486-
9060.
****** *
On display at the Venice
Art Center, 390 S. Nokomis
Ave. is an exhibit featuring the
work of students in the South
Sarasota County public
schools. The VAC is open
weekdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and
Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. For
more information, call 485-
7136.
****!**
In my review of "Three
Friends, Two Guitars (and a
broken tambourine)" at Flor-
ida Studio Theatre's Cabaret
Theatre, I mentioned Mi-
chael Sebastian, Jim Prosser
and Dennis Courtney as a
team to be reckoned with
when it came to the creation
of that show. While Sebastian
was the musical director for
the show, I have since learned
that he did not have a hand in
the original conception of
that show. The development
team for "Three Friends, Two

Guitars" did include, in addi-
tion to Prosser and Courtney,
Kevin Allen, Christin Kelly
and Rebecca Langford, as
well as Richard Hopkins who
has a hand in everything
developed at FST. I apologize
to those whose names I left
out in my zeal to get the word
out that this is one fabulous
show. The show, with Forrest
Richards, Ryan Kipp and
Steve McWilliams, continues
through May 28 in the
cabaret. For tickets, call FST
at 366-9000.

Monday, April 18. there will
be a lecture and book signing
at 7 p.m. at Mote Marine La-
boratory, 1600 Ken Thomp-
son Parkway, Sarasota. Spon-
sored by Sarasota News &
Books, the event features Ia-
nine Benyus, author of "Bio-
mimicry," which is available
at the store, 1341 Main St. as
well as at Mote on the 18th. To
reserve signed 'copies in ad-'
vance or if you cannot attend
the talk, call the store at (941)
365-6332. Tickets to the event
at Mote are free for Mote
members and $5 for non-
members. Download an or-
der form at moje.org and
return it to Mote's reception

Sq(941J q4q4-1 1
Open 11 9pm for Lunch & Dinner
I 997 US 41 Bypass, North Entrance to Venice

desk or by fax with credit card
information to 388-4381. Re-
maining tickets will be avail-
able on a first-come basis on
the night of the lecture.

April 19, there will be a
Leadership Florida lunch at
11:30 a.m. at the University
Club in Sarasota. Tickets are

$25 for leadership alumni and
$30 for all others. Send checks
to Barbara Hines in care of the
Greater Sarasota Chamber of
Commerce at 1945 Fruitville
Road, Sarasota, 34236 or call
her at 955-2508.
See COOL, NEXT *****GREEN SHEET

COOL from last Green Sheet
Join Venice Area Contra
Dancers April 16 at Laurel
Park, 509 'Collins Road,
Laurel. Teaching sessions
begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by
dancing with a live band and
caller 8-11 p.m. The music
will be by Juniper and Stan
Prince will be the caller.
Neither a partner nor experi-
ence is necessary and refresh-
ments are served. The cost is
$10 for adults and $8 for stu-
dents. For more information,
call 966-1847 or 485-2880 or
visit flowcom.com/contra/.
Venice author Meredith
McGirr's first book has been
published by AuthorHouse.
Entitled "James Faces His
Fears," the book is about an
unlikely pair, a frightened lit-
tle boy and a supportive fire-
fly. It is designed to help par-
ents allay one of the most
common fears in childhood
and teaches children that
they can overcome their anxi-
ety. To learn more, visit james
faceshisfears.com or author-
house.com.

:The Salvation Army of
Venice is sponsoring a worn- /
en's retreat April 29-May 1 at
Saddlebrook Resort, north of
Tampa. The cost is $40 plus
the cost of a couple of meals.
To learn more, call La\erne
Parks at 484-6227.
Salvation Army men can
go to camp April 22-24 at,

FRIDAY. APRIL 15.2005

Camp Keystone. To partici-
pate in this getaway, call Capt.
John Fuller at 484-6227.
Those interested in attend-
ing the Salvation Army Ter-
ritorial Family Conference in
Atlanta, June 3-5, should call
the Fullers at 484-6227. The
only cost is meals en route to
the conference.
****** *

best employees. They work to
make money for their habit."
The problem, Kochmit
said is the.preferred "drug of
choice" among juveniles is
heroin.
"The average age of North
Port students who admitted
they did drugs is 13.5," she said.
"Another huge problem the
police department is seeing is
meth (methamphetamine)
labs popping up all over the
city They find them in an RVs
parked behind garages."
Fighting this ongoing bat-
tle will. take more-than just
parents, said Lisa Phillips of
SCOSA.
"This boils down to a com-

munity standard," Phillips
said. "Either the community
is going to tolerate for it or
not."
Community backing
Phillips said one way resi-
dents can combat an active
drug community or help pre-
vent juvenile crimes is to get
adults involved in prevention
and enforcement.
Suggestions include asking
the city police department to
have more regular DUI
checkpoints, prioritize un-
derage alcohol purchasing
stings, have K-9, dogs in the
schools more often, promote
positive programs such as Do

The Right. Thing Police Ex-
plorers, attract more social
programs that provide coun-
seling and recovery for ad-
dicts and victims and ask for
more community involve-
ment in' programs such as
Neighborhood Watch and
start a Neighborhood Ac-
countability Board.
"If you have key elected
and appointed officials (po-
lice chief, commissioners,
school principals) who do not
buy into things such as com-
pliance issues or a communi-
ty then it doesn't get done,"
Phillips said. "If you don't
have community backing, it
won't get done.

"Some of these solutions
begin at the top. Residents
need to tell commissioners
what they need and want to
happen in the city. We need
present these standards to
the city commission and
explain that this is what the
community wants. Then the
city can help work on bring-
ing these services here.
"Parents will not bring
their children to counseling
in Sarasota. They have to be
brought here to were the peo-
ple need it."

You can e-mail Elaine
Allen-Emrichat: ealTen
@sun-herald.com.

i I"~rill(in r mi .'.*,.- 'Y tingen -
PHOTO COURTESY OF EARS
Patches is a young male kitty, white with brown patches and
incredible amber eyes. He was found roaming a local mobile
home park and mooching meals. His rescuers are fostering
Patches until he finds new permanent parents. He is scheduled
to be neutered shortly. Patches has been to the vet and has
had flea control. He gets along well with his foster parents'
other two cats and loves kitty toys. If you can offer Patches a
loving home, please call Englewood Animal Rescue Sanctuary
(EARS) at (941) 475-0636.

PET BRIEFS
Obedience classes Animal Services
The Greater Venice Florida adoption program
Dog Club offers classes in
puppy training ($50), basic Sarasota County Animal
obedience ($70) and confor- Services has many 'cats and
nation classes ($6 per night) dogs eligible for adoption.
Tuesday nights at the South The adoption program is just
Venice Civic Association one of the many services that
Building' on Alligator Drive. Animal Services provides to
Class sizes are limited and are Sarasota County. Animal
offered in seven-week? ses- Services aims to find respon-
sions. Call Terri at 423-6945. sible homes for the dogs and
for more information and cats that are not claimed or
registration. are unwanted by their own-
ers, or animals that must be
Volunteers needed given ip for one reason or
SThe Pelican. Man's Bird another..
Sanctuary, 1708 Ken Thomp- To' adopt an animal, call
son Parkway, Sarasota, seeks 861-9500 or visit 8451 Bee
volunteers for its welcome Ridge Road in Sarasota. To
center, gift shop, as tour find the location, head East
guides and for speaking en- on Bee Ridge Road. Animal
gagements at schools and Services is-at the very end of
other organizations. the road at the old landfill site.
Volunteers are also needed The new area is called
for its thrift stores in Nokomis Rothenbach Park at High
(484-5715) and Sarasota (355- Point. To find out more about
0229). the animals available for
For more information, call adoption or about Animal
the numbers above or 388- Services, visit sarasotasher
4444. iff.org.

The Aviator
Focusing on his early years this is
the story ol how young Howard -
Hughes transformed a small fortune
into a massive one. Howard Hughes
(DiCapnol moved to Los Angeles to
become a Hollywood film producer.
where he helped launch the career of
Jean Harlow and other sLarlels, and
producing classics such as Hell's
Angels, The Front Page, Flying
Leathemecks, and Scarface (the
1932 original), eventually owning RKO
Pictures.
Hollywood.20:6:15,9:50
Merchants Crossing 16:4:50, 8:20
Fri-Sat; 4:50, 8 Sun

Be Cool
John Travolta returns as Chili
Palmer in Be Cool, a sequel to the
original comedy smash Get Shorty. In
Be Cool (based on the novel by
Elmore Leonard), Chili abandons the
fickle movie business to bring his sig-
nature brand of wiseguy skills and
negotiation tactics to the music indus-
try.1 hj. 54 min.
Hollywood 20:10:20
Merchants Crossing 16:4:30,
10:20 Fri-Sat; 4:30 Sun

Because of Winn-Dixie
A 10-year-old girl reconnects with
her father after moving in with him fol-
lowing her mother's abandonment.
She adopts a dog whom she names
after the, local convenience store, and
strikes up friendships with several of
the quirky local townsfolk.-
1 hr. 46 min.
Merchants Crossing 16:1:15

40b- .0P- MOO-oam
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Downfall
In the dead ol a November night
in 1942, a group ol young women are
escorted by SS officers through the
woods to W'll 's Lair, Hitler's head-
quarters in Eastern Prussia. They are'
candidates for the post of personal
secretary to the Fuehrer. Among them
is 22year old Traudi Junge (Alexandra
Maria Lara) a fresh faced girl from
.Munich. The women are ushered into
the waiting room outside Hitler's
private office, each eager to make a
good impression.
Burns Court: 1, 4:20, 7:45.

the opposite sex, le nevertheless
finds himself smitten by the beautlul.
smart and sassy reporter She's the
only one able to derail him from his
usual smooth romantic ways. and she
may be the one to finally unmask his
real profession. 1 hr. 55 mmn.
Hollywood 20: 12:40. 3:50, 7:35,
10.35
Merchants Crossing 16:1:40
4.55. 7-40, 10:20 Fri-Sal; 1 40. 4-55.
7.40 Sun
Town Center 16:1:05,4, 7, 9:55

Hostage
Three teens follow a family home,
intending to steal their car. The situa-
tion rapidly escalates into a kidnap-
ping. While the teen kidnappers hole
up with their victims inside an isolated,
multi-million dollar compound, the
hostage negotiator (Bruce Willis) finds
himself in a dangerous predicament.
A secret involving the kidnapped fami-
ly leads to a second, separate kidnap-
ping of the hostage negotiator's wife
and daughter. If the negotiator doesn't
manipulate events to lose the lives of
the first family, he may end up losing
his own. 1 hr. 42 min.
Hollywood 20:4:05,10:25
Merchants Crossing 16:1:45,
5:10, 7:50, 10:25 Fri-Sat; 1:45, 5:10,
7:55 Sun
Town Center 16:1:35,4:30, 7:30,
10:20

Les Choristes
A teacher at a strict boarding
school reaches out to the students
through music. 1 hr. 35 min.
Burns Court: 1:15,3:30

Meet the Fockers
: Now that Greg Focker (Ben Stiller)
is "in" with his soon-to-be in-laws, Jack
(Robert De Niro) and Dina Byrnes; it

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looks like smooth sailing. But that's
before his fiancee Pam's (Ted Polo)
parents meet Greg's parents, the
Fockers. The hyper-relaxed Fockers
ahd the tightly-wound Byrneses are
woefully mismatched from the start.
No matter how hard Greg and Pam
try, there's just no bringing their fami-
lies together. ,
Town Center 16:2,4:50, 7:45,
10:30

Melinda and Melinda
Two Manhattan playwrights imag-
. ine life as either comedy or tragedy.
They devise dual scenarios, both
involving a fictional character named
Melinda (Radha Mitchell). In the
comic story, she barges in on her
married pals and becomes the object
of infatuation for the husband. In the.
other, more tragic plot, she tells her
married friends that her doctor hus-
band has left her after she cheated;
and she's thinking of either killing her-
self pr him. Both imagined dialogues .
give rise to much complicated, amus-
ing philandering, courtesy of veteran
writer-director Woody Allen. 2 hrs.
Hollywood 20' 11:55, 2:25, 5:05,
7:40, 10:10, 12:25, 12:35,

Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood directs and stars in
this film about an aging boxing trainer
named Frank (Eastwood), who reluc-
tantly agrees to take on determined
female boxer Maggie Fitzgerald
(Hilary Swank). Both fighter and men-.
tor have been swayed by damaging
bouts with life. Together, they build a
mutual foundation of strength and
belief. 2 hrs. 12 min.
Hollywood 20:12, 3:05
Merchants Crossing 16:12:50,
7:15
Town Center 16:1, 4:05, 7:15,
10:20

Miss Congeniality 2:
Armed and Fabulous
FBI agent Gracie Hart (Sandra
Bullock) is basking in the glow of her
newfound popularity after helping to
'disarm a threat against the Miss
United States pageant. But she's
determined to get back to the job after
her friends, pageant winner Cheryl
and emcee Stan, are kidnapped in
Las Vegas. However, the FBI doesn't
want to risk losing their new mascot in
action, so they team Gracie with
another agent (Regina King) who

The Ring Two
Naomi Watts returns in the sequel
to the popular The Ring. After the
events of the first film, her harassed
reporter moves to Oregon with her
young son (David Dorfman). Soon,
she's haunted again by an unnatural
spectre responsible for a local murder.
Her son, too, is traumatized by its ter-
rors. 1 hr. 47 min.
* Hollywood 20:.12:45, 3:40, 6:55,
9:50,12:30
Merchants Crossing 16:1:55,
4:55, 7:55, 10:30 Fri-Sat; 1:55, 4:55,
8:05 Sun.
' Town Center 16:1:20, 4:20, 7:20,
10:10.
Robots
The world is inhabited only by
robots. A machine named Rodney
goes on a quest to make life better for
everyone. His journey is impeded by a
corporate tyrant named Big Weld (Mel
Brooks). And he's distracted by a
potential romance with a sexy compa-
ny robot called Cappy (Halle Berry).
1 hr. 30 min.
Hollywood 20:12:10, 2:35, 5, 7:30,
9:40
Merchants Crossing 16:12:30,
2:40, 5, 7:20, 9:35 Fri-Sat; 12:30, .
2:40, 5, 7:20 Sun
Sarasota East: 12:45, 3, 5:25,
7:55, 10:05 Fri-Sat; 12:45, 3, 5:25,
7:50 Sun
Town Center 16:1:15, 4:10, 7:30,
10:10
Sahara
Master explorer Dirk Pitt (Matthew
McConaughey) takes on the adven-
ture of his life when he embarks on a
treasure hunt through some of the

Sin City
Corruption is the name of the
game in Sin City.This is the story of
its larger than life characters, who live
and die on its colorful, sleepless
streets. Among them is a tough-as-
nails street fighter who goes on a
rampage after a beautiful girl is killed
in his presence. 2 hrs. 6 min.
Arcadia Cinema: 9
Hollywood 20:12; 12:30,1, 3:15,
3:45, 4:15, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 9:45,
10:15, 10:40 Fri-Sat; 12, 12:30,1,
3:15, 3:45, 4:15, 6:45, 7:10, 8:10 Sun
Merchants Crossing 16:1:20,
2:20,4:15, 5:15, 7:10, 8,10, 10:35
Sarasota East: 1, 4, 7, 9:50 Fri-
Sat; 1, 4, 7 Sun
Town Center 16:1:10,1:40, 4:15,
4:45, 7:10, 7:40, 10:05,10:35

Upside of Anger
A woman is abandoned by her
husband and is left to raise her four
daughters alone. She begins to see
her neighbor, an ex-baseball player
and a drinking buddy. Slowly, he
becomes an additional member of her
dysfunctional family. 1 hr. 58 min.
Hollywood 20:12:20, 3:30, 6:45,
9:30,12:15
Merchants Crossing 16: 1:10,
4:25,7:30; 10:15 Fri-Sat; 1:10, 4:25,
7:30 Sun
Town Center 16:1:45, 4:40, 7:25,
10:15

William Shakespeare's
The Merchant of Venice
Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph
Fiennes and Lynn Collins co-star in
this cinematic adaptation of William
Shakespeare's famous drama.
Antonio (Irons) agrees to go into debt
so that his friend Bassanio (Fiennes)
can have money to impress Portia
(Collins). The lender, Shylock
(Pacino), demands that if the debt is
not repaid, a pound of Antonio's flesh
will be due. 2 hrs. 18 min.
Burns Court: 5
Sun Herald wire services

- ow-m

. I

.

VENICE GONDOLIER SUN 13B

FRIDAY. APRIL 15. 2005

EATING from page 1B
Geraldi's, 113 W. Tampa
Ave. (484-7072), is an intimate
Italian restaurant featuring
New York-style pizza, home-
made meatballs, spaghetti
and lasagna, and a nice vari-
ety of Italian salads. They
serve beer and wine and do
catering for parties. Its out-
door patio is to the side of
building, behind the lattice
fence. The Venice Little The-
atre is across the street.
To the west and across the
street, at 18 W. Tampa Ave. is
Le Petit Jardin, a charming lit-
tle two-story French bistro. I
love eating lunch there. The
salads, sandwiches and soups
not only taste good but are
elegantly presented. Try the.
crepes, for which this restau-
rant is known. Le Petit Jardin
is located on the "sunny side
of the street," and its tables
are filled even when the
weather is cool.
Set back from West Tampa
Avenue, at 200 St. Augustine,
is Luna Ristorante (412-9898).
Located in one of the most
historic buildings in Venice,
the restaurant serves lunch
and dinner Tuesday through
Sunday. It is known for its
foot-long New York-style
grinders and exceptionally
large portions. My husband
and I usually divide one salad
and one entree between the
two of us. Luna does not
charge extra for this as so
many other places do. Des-
serts are made on the premis-
es and, if you have room, they
are works of art, served on
colorful plates, often decorat-
ed with cocoa powder or
chocolate chips or raspberry
sauce. Frank Sinatra fans will
love the big picture of him
and the sounds of his music,
which often is played inside.
Theatergoers often stop for
dinner before the show, have
their extra food boxed and
refrigerated by Luna's, then
pick it up after attending the
theater. Note, Luna's does not
accept credit cards. The his-
toric building was the loca-
tion of the first post office in
Venice as well as the first

Vince Occhipinti, left and Herb Levine of Venice take a break at
Venice Wine & Coffee on South Nokomis Avenue.

o
i -. ...

Every table is full at Le Petit Jardin on West Tampa Avenue.

Karen Millican of Venice and Donna Kerr of Sarasota take a
break at Anita's Sand Castle Snack Bar at the South Jetty.

kindergarten.
Other outside dining
options in Venice
Mi Pueblo, 530 U.S. 41
Bypass South (941) 486-0005,
is located within the Venice
Brickyard Plaza. It serves tra-
ditional Mexican food in a
Mexican atmosphere and was

voted both Best Mexican
Restaurant in Town and Best
Margaritas in Town. You can
dine inside or outside in the
courtyard. If you're lucky, you
may be serenaded by its mari-
achi band. If it's your bir thday,
the band will place a som-
brero on your head before
singing to you.

DQ Grill & Chill, 1465 E.
Venice Ave. (485-2446), is lo-
cated in the Venice Commons
Shopping Center in front of
Publix. It is open daily from 10
a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The DQ has
a huge menu, a warm decor,
fresh baked buns plus they
often run coupons for Bliz-
zards, Grill Burgers, etc. in the
local newspapers.
Cactus Steakhouse, 997
North U.S. 41 Bypass (484-
5191), serves both Mexican
and American food in a
Southwest atmosphere. It is
very spacious inside and has a
number of large round tables
that seat eight to 10 people
comfortably. The restaurant
recently moved to this new
location near the Hatchett
Creek Bridge. Most of what

you will diew when dining
outside is scenery and a
parade of cars passing by. The
best way to reach it is to drive
north on Business 41 leaving
Venice and be aware of a right
turn into its parking lot before
you pass the restaurant.
East of Venice along
the Myakka River
You can have a one-of-its-
kind experience by visiting
the Snook Haven Restaurant
and Fish Camp, 485-7221 on
the Myakka River, located off
River Road. Travel east on
Venice Avenue to River Road.
Watch for River Road traffic
from both directions before
proceeding across the road
and following the dirt road to
its end. Hidden in a subtropi-

cal forest of live oaks and pine
draped with Spanish moss,
Snook Have has operated
there for 50 years. One of its
claims to fame is that a 1947
movie called "Revenge of the
Killer Turtles" was filmed on
site. You can eat inside its
remodeled rustic restaurant
or outside on the deck or at
picnic tables. Dine on fresh
fish, alligator bites, or hot
dogs. They have live enter-
tainment nightly, and on:
Sunday afternoon, have an
outdoor barbecue. The last
time we were at Snook Haven
was on a Thursday afternoon
when we were treated to
about 50 banjo players in a
jam session. Drinking beer,
eating fresh seafood, ham-
burgers and hot dogs and
enjoying the music were fish-
ermen, campers, tourists,
locals and a bus load of Red
Hat ladies. Spare cabins
house bass and snook fisher-
men by the day, week, or
month, and you can rent a
car-3, kayak, pontoon, or
take one of their daily one-
hour boat tours of the M yakka
River for $10. Who knows, you
might, see alligators, otters,
wild boar, bobcats or soft shell
turtles along its banks.
There are so many more
options. This is simply the list
of those places I visited in the
past few weeks. The fun is in
the research. Enjoy.
If you take photos, send
them along to dshulman
. @venicegondolier.com. Your
favorite place might just end
up on the back page of Our
Town.

Forty Carrots Family Center's Carrotcakes 2005: How Sweet It Is was its most successful fund-raiser ever. Hundreds of guests at
Hyatt Sarasota raised more than $75,000 in cash donations and $79,000 in the auction.

M4I ClUB

OUT AND ABOUT

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PHOTO COuRTES OF JDiE BAER Jenna Antonetti, 20 months old, recently visited her grandpar-
Gathered at the March meeting of the Venice Newcomers Club ents, Pat and Pat Antonetti Sr. in their Venice home.
were future president Bob Bergen, past president Kathy
Mathews and current president Bob Scherer. .; ...

PHOTO COUIRTE.'' OF MAPIINE COPPS LEAGUE
"Top" Harrison of the Marine Corps League, who sponsors the
Marines and Devil Dog teams, threw out the first ball at the
Miss Venice Fast Pitch opening ceremonies at the Wellfield
Complex. Ten teams, coaches and sponsors were there.

Venetian Golf & River Club,
the largest new development
in Venice, is coming into its
own and greening up. Hun-
dreds of homes and an ele-
gant new clubhouse have
been completed. Several
neighborhoods within the
community are complete or
close to build-out.
Increasing numbers of res-
ident golfers are driving the
maturing course and there
finally is more green than
brown throughout WCI's first
major Venice-area commum-
ty. WCI is known as much for
its landscaping as for its hous-

es and it already is quite obvi-
ous that this development will
help WCI keep its green-
thumb reputation intact. Un-
derground utilities add to the
ambiance of the neighbor-
hoods within the develop-
ment.
Recently offered for sale is
a 2003 WCI-built home at 434
Montelluna Drive. That street
already is exhibiting signs of
what the well-planned land-
scaping will look like when
mature in the not-too-distant
future. Each house has a
number of palm trees and an
abundance of planting beds,
which give that signature WCI'
look to the street.
Situated on one of the better

The master bathroom features a corner tub, separate shower
and twin vanities.

lots with a "premier lake view"
this house, the Vecellio model,
has three bedrooms, two and
one-half baths, a caged pool
and several upgrades selected
by its first owners.
The home's open floor plan
makes it a great party home.
Granite counters separate the
kitchen from the 15-foot by
21-foot great room, which
contains a large entertain-
ment built-in as well as built-
in wine cooler. There are both
casual and formal dining
spaces and additional space
for al fresco dining on the
lanai area of the pool cage.
Although the bedrooms
are all on the same side of the
house, the two guest rooms
and bath and one half are
separated from the master
suite by the laner's bath and
walk-in closets. The configu-
ration of the extra bedrooms
makes for an ideal guest or in-
law suite, offering complete
privacy for whoever might
dwell within that space.
The 13-foot by 18-foot mast-
er bedroom features a spacious
bath area and two extra-large
walk-in closets. The bedroom
has a view to the lake behind
the house and also opens to the
pool area.
Ceiling fans, shaded win-
dows and volume ceilings
throughout the house con-
tribute to the home's cooling
efficiency.
Listing agents Richard Brad-
way and Patty Wheeler have
priced the house at $729,000.
To schedule an appointment to
see the home, call their office at
412-3323 or call Bradway on his
cell phone at 809-8431, or
Wheeler on her cell phone at
809-8430.

SUN PHOTOS BY MM COOL

From the master bedroom there is a view of a lake as well as the home's swimming pool.

The exterior of a Venetian Golf & River Club home recently listed with Richard Bradway & Assoc.
Inc.

"We Are Pledged To The Let-
ter And Spirit of U.S. Policy
For The Achievement Of
Equal Housing Opportunity
Throughout The Nation. We
Encourage And Support An
Affirmative Advertising And
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there Are No Barriers To
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BRAND NEW
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2792 SQ. FT. 3/2/2 Living
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Available now at $325,900.
Call Jim 628-3672.

WOWI!! Brand new less lhan
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both bathrooms & extra tile.
Don't miss this beautiful unit.
Call Rae to see this unit today.
$299,900.

THE COURTYARDS This
brand new condo has it all.
Larger kitchen cabinets, pocket
doors for the 3rd bedroom/
office/den. The lanai has an A/
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totaling $5,000 in upgrades.
$299,900.

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Insurance
Staff
3 Position L J

This employment
opportunity is with a State
Farm agent, not with State
Farm Insurance Companies
and requires the successful
completion of licensing
requirements to sell and .
service State Farm
products.

- ACCOUNTING
SPECIALIST
with experience in account-
ing analysis and general
. accounting with at least 2
years banking experience
in back office Looking for
versatile individual for a
fast-paced environment.
* Must be organized and'
accurate with extensive
MS Excel and Word experi-
ence. Supervisory skills,
Financial/Regulatory
reporting a plus.

A.G. Edwards & Sons,
Inc. is seeking a full-
time individual for an
entry-level position.
Tasks include a variety
of clerical duties such
as preparation of large
bulk mailings, filing,
etc. in a fast-paced
branch. Must be a high
school graduate and
possess good computer
and accurate typing
skills. This position
offers room for growth
for the right individual.
We offer an excellent
benefits program. Fax
resume w/cover letter
to (941) 624-2972,
attention L. Salsberry of
The Sommerville Halsey
Financial Group.

DayStar Communica-
tions, a telecommunica-
tons company located in
Port Charlotte, is seeking
a full-time billing and col-
lections clerk. This is an
hourly .position and
includes company spon-
sored benefits.

DayStar Communica-
tions is a customer ser-
vice and team oriented
company; we are looking
for a TEAM player with a
positive attitude. If this is
you, please send a resume
to: FAX 941-629-4452 or
Email jobs@daystar.net

FULL TIME ASST. TO
TRANSPORTATION MNGR
Must be organized, detail
oriented & able to multi
task. Excellent computer &
communication skills
required. Tasks. include
data entry, reconciliations,
filing, coordinating service
deliveries & report prepa-
ration. Must be able to

General Office P/T, detail
oriented, computer literate,
with excellent customer ser-
vice and phone skills. Must be
able to multitask and be flex-
ible. Call for appointment
Islander Furniture. (9411-255-
9888 '

1 ACRE LOT Located on South Trail close to Venice
East Blvd.. Property abuts Southwood, zoned RE-2,
priced for investor potential. Owner/Agent.
MLS#387741. $175,000.
SOUTH VENICE LOT Anractive 120X100 building
site south side of Wesi Barfin Road. 589,900.

The Charlotte Sun
is looking for an
INTERNET
UPLOADER
TECHNICIAN
for new on line publications.
Needs good computer
skills and must be able to
work independently. Will
train on new program. Late
night/ early morning. Part
time, may become full time.
Apply at The Charlotte Sun,
23170 Harborview Rd.,
Charlotte Harbor. Attn: Tia
Cook Or email
tcook@sun-herald.com
Drug Free Work Place

TITLE' PROCESSOR/Closer,
experience, for busy Pt. Char-
lotte title company. Must be
organized with great people
skills. Please fax resume to
941-629-4825.

Alterra Sterling House,
a 42 unit assisted living
facility, is currently hiring
full time CNA's for our
evening & right shift. Med-
ication training a plus! Join
our team of compassion-
ate care givers & become
part of the Alterra family.
Apply in person at 250 Bal
Harbor Blvd., PuntaGorda.

Nurse Liasion/
Admissions Directoor
We are searching for an
RN with strong assess-
ment skills to lead our
admissions team. The
successful candidate will
be a self-starter who is
motivated to succeed.
Long Term Care experi-
ence and a thorough -
knowledge of
Medicare/Medicaid and
insurances would be a
plus. Salary commensu-
rate with experience.
Excellent benefits. Please
contact: Gray Kilpatrick -
Administrator, HQM of
Port Charlotte, 4033
Beaver Lane, Pt. Char-
lotte, FL 33952
(941)-625-3200"

RNAPN
EVENING SHIFT
3PM-11:30PM
Once in a life time oppor-
tunity to be employed by
one of the largest busi-
nesses in Venice; VILLAGE
ON THE ISLES. A Beautiful
16 ACRE continuing care
facility on the ISLAND,
Luke Haven is the 60 bed
,skilled care nursing facili-
ty. We have a great ship on
this Island and we need
just one more hand on
deck, caring, dependable,
knowledgeable individual
with good moral character
to take the oar and help
guide this ship through the
next hurricane. Great ben-
efits including health and
life insurance after one
month, paid time off,
403B, shipshape environ-
ment, free continuing edu-
cation credit, scholarships
and shipmates of the
same character. A nurse
with experience in long
term care and love of the
elderly is preferred, how-
ever a new nurse who is
willing to learn the right
way to be a great nurse
will be considered. Please
call for an appointment to
941-486-5495
VILLAGE ON THE ISLAND
920 TAMIAMI TRAIL
VENICE, FL 34285
EOE D/F/W/P

$3.50/HR. SERVERS, FULL
TIME, PART TIME, & HOST/
HOSTESS, BUSSERS. ALL
SHIFTS AVAILABLE.,
LUIGIS. Now hiring all posi-
tions. Apply in person,
9am-2pm. 3883 Tamiami
Trail, P.C. No phone calls

ADVERTISING
SALES

ARE YOU AN
EXPERIENCED
REAL ESTATE
PROFESSIONAL?
WE NEED TO TALK!

The Charlotte Sun is
seeking an Advertising
Executive for the Real
Estate Division. This team
player will have the advan-
tage of an established terri-
tory in Port Charlotte. You
will have the opportunity to
work with professionals in
the field of real estate.

The Charlotte Sun offers:
*competitive salary, *paid
vacation, *health insur-
ance, sick and short term
disability, *401(k) with
company match.

Come work for Ameri-
ca's Best Community
Daily Newspaper.
The Charlotte Sun

The DeSoto Sun is seeking
a copy desk designer for
the daily Arcadian. The
Arcadian newspaper comes
from a hundred-year old tra-
dition of newspaper report-
ing in rural DeSoto County.
Work in a friendly environ-
ment just blocks away from
rustic Downtown Arcadia,
famous state-wide for its
antique stores and main
street fairs. There will be
plenty to keep you busy in
the in the day to day work-
ings of the newspaper
office, popular events like
the rodeo; county fair, and
pageants will keep your fin-
gers flying across the key-
board.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED A
CAREER IN REAL ESTATE, BUT
AREN'T SURE IF IT'S FOR YOU?
Take the job for a test drive in our
Real Estate simulator and find out.
Visit our website at
www.PrudentialCascade.com and
take our free on-line, confidential
Kathy Wood, assessment to determine if you have
A/H 486-0400 'the skills, abilities and personality
to succeed in Real Estate or contact
Kathy Wood at 486-0400 EOE

LEAD MASTER CARPEN-
TERS wanted. Fast grow-
ing local General Contrac-
torlooking for experienced
lead carpenter to run
crews & jobs. Clean Cut.
Drug Free Workplace.
Much room for advance-
ment in the very near
future. Those looking for
long term employment
only need apply. Call Dave
at: (941) 743-4105 or fax
resume to: (941) 697-
9208

LEAD METAL ROOF &
WALL PANEL INSTALLERS
& HELPERS for new
construction & restoration
work in Punta Gorda.
Must have truck & tools.
Call (941)-639-2568
LEAD PAINTERS &
HELPERS needed for remod-
eling/restoration work in F
Punta Gorda. Must have
tools & transportation
(941)-639-2568
Licensed General Contractor I
wanted to license a large prop- I
erty management company or i
start a new company. Great I
opportunity. Call 941-468-7813 I
Local Pest Control Co. seeks 5
Certified Pest Control Opera- I
tor: Lawn, PC & Termite &
also seeks Service Techs. No C
exp. necessary for Service F
Techs. (941-766-1885 I

B & I Contractors, Inc.
An Employee Owned Company
EOE DFWP
Port Charlotte contractor
needs painters, carpenters
and drywallers for busy
reconstruction company.
Experience necessary; top
pay. Must have FL drivers
license. Must have own tools.
Full time work. Use of compa-
ny vehicle during work hours.
Drug free workplace/back
ground check.

- CAN YOU MAKE A
t DIFFERENCE IN
OUR COMPANY?
ARE QUALITY
AND ATTITUDE
IMPORTANT TO
YOU? ARE YOU
WORTH MORE
THAN THE
COMPANY YOU
WORK FOR?
We are a well-respected
customer focused plumb-
ing company with immedi-
ate openings for plumbing
service technicians. If you
see Plumbing as a profes-
sion and love to satisfy
customers.

Are you looking for a
challenge or perhaps a
career change? We are
searching for a Property
Manager. A CAM license
not an immediate
requirement, can be
obtained later, & while
experience in managing
a large property would
be helpful it is not neces-
sary, however, maturity &
good business experi-
ence is a must, as is
computer literacy expe-
cially with Word & Excel.
Send your resume with a
cover letter to: BOCA
GRANDE CLUB, P.O. box
1070, Boca Grande, FL
33921 FAX
941-964-0193 or e-mail
yma@ewol.com

The Green Sheet offers an
opportunity for a highly
motivated individual seek-
ing an opportunity to join
our sales team.
We are looking for an expe-
rience sales professional
with a positive attitude who
enjoys working with clients
face to face in helping
them identify and achieve
their needs.
The successful candidate
will work with existing
clients, market our prod-
uct to new prospects and
possess the ability to
close contracts. If you
have excellent sales pre-
sentation skills and the
ability to. express ideas
verbally as well as in writ-
ing you may be the person
we are looking for.

The Charlotte Sun is now
taking applications for night
inserting crew members
We have openings for good
people who enloy being out
when the sun is not Upon
employment you will
become a member of the
night Packaging and Distri-
bution department of one
of the nation's fastest grow-
ing newspapers'
We have a well rounded,
dedicated team that ranges
from college students to
seniors who all have one
thing in common, our hours
fit their iiiestyle
We are looking for peopie
that are willing to work at
least four nignis per week.
The team starts at 11-45
p m. and we are usually
finished around 3'301) a.m.
There are also occasional
earlier shirts available as
well!
We are olierrng 20 to 30
hours per week, with more
possible The only require-
ments we have are that you
need to be able to lift 25
Ibs. la bundle of papers),
you must pass a pre-
employment drug screen
(Ie are a drug free work-
placel, and you must enjoy
working with a friendly and
energetic crew
If you are looking for a
great part-time job, stop by
and hitl out an application
(betiveen 8'30 a m and
430 prm.) or call 1941)
206-1436 after 500 p.m
and ask lor Carln.

The Charlotte Sun
23170 Harborview Rd.
Charlotte Harbor
(Harborview is just east of
Kings Highway; look for
our sign across from
Schoolhouse Square)

y **ATrENTION**
Vi-
al The Charlotte Sun
o is now accepting
o applications for:
Day Inserting
Crew Members.
d
e We have openings for
good people who enjoy
being out in the sun!
Do you like to work
with friendly
people of all ages?
Come join our team!

Upon employment you will
e become a member of the
i- Day Packaging
and Distribution
Department
of one of the
nation's fastest
growing newspapers!

We have a well rounded,
dedicated team that
ranges from college stu-
dents to seniors who all
have one thing in common,
our hours fit their lifestyle.
We are looking for people
that are willing to work at
least five days per week.

g We are offering 20 to 30
hours per week, with more
possible. The only require-
h ments we have are 'that
you need to be able to lift
25 lbs. (a bundle of
papers), you must pass a
pre-employment drug
screen (we are a drug free
Workplacee, and you must
enjoy working with a friend-
ly and energetic crew.

If you are looking for a
great part-time job,
stop by and fill out an
application (between,
8:30 a.m. and 4:30
p.m.) Askfor Sharon.
Drug Free Workplace.
EOE.

The Charlotte Sun
'23170 Harborview Rd.
Charlotte Harbor
(Harborview is just east of
Kings Highway; look for
our sign across from
,Schoolhouse Square)

CLEANERS Part time, Homes
,and Condos, some Saturdays.
Call (941-697-99797

Position open for a
mature active team
player. Must be honest,
conscientious, detail
oriented, dependable.,
Requires ability to
complete brief reports
and follow office proce-
dures. Good Benefits.
Call
The Boca Grande Club
@ 941-964-2211
Ext. 4442

HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
WORKER
Position Number: 03274
Starting Bi-Weekly Salary:
$675.00
Work Hours: 7am-5:30pm
Monday-Thursday
This is work maintaining the
state highway system and
right of way; such as pot hole
patching, flagging traffic,
repairing road shoulders, dri-
ving dump trucks, picking up
trash/garbage, etc. Performs
light maintenance & servicing
work in connection with any
type of equipment operated.
Required to have CDL, Class B
License or Permit. Apply on
line via the People First 1-877-
562-7287) by completing a
State of Florida online' job
application at www.mvflori-
da.com by 5pm EST Closing
date or call 863-993-4634
CLOSING DATE 04/20/2005
Published 4/12/05 thru
4/18/05

The Charlotte Sun is tak-
ing applications for day
inserting crew members. If
hired, you will become a
member of the day Packag-
ing and Distribution depart-
ment of one of the nation's
fastest growing newspa-
pers!

We have a well rounded,
dedicated team that ranges
from college students to
seniors. We are offering
20 to 30 hours per week,
-with more possible. The
only requirements, you
must be able to lift 25 lbs.
(a bundle of papers) and be
able to stand, for several
hours.

We are a drug free work-
place, pre-employment
drug testing required. You
must enjoy working with a
friendly and energetic crew.
If you are, looking for a
great part-time job, stop by
and fill out an application
(between 8:30 a.m. and
4:30 p.m.). Ask for
Sharon.

The Charlotte Sun
23170 Harborview Rd.
Charlotte Harbor
(Harborview is just east of
Kings Highway; look for.
our sign across from
Schoolhouse Square)

With signed parental con-
sent you can earn $ as a
CONTRACTED WEEK
END SERVICE EXPE-
DITER. All others welcome
to. apply.
Learn to insert and bag the
Sun's Saturday and Sunday
papers so our carrier force
can deliver to our Sun cus-
tomers early in the morn-
ing. .
Qualifications- able to lift 35
pounds. Proof of drivers
license or state. ID card,
social security card, auto
insurance if driving.

TWO THRIFT CLERKS, part-
time position, at $7.00 per
hour. Applications available
between the hours of 9 a.m.-3
p.m., Monday Friday, at The
Salvation Army, 2120 Love-
land Blvd., Port Charlotte,
Requirements: Heavy lifting,
clean drivers license is
mandatory.

When you see the @ at the end of an ad, that
means the advertiser has a profile (and maybe
even a picture!) at our online personals site.
Note the username listed after the @,
and check it out at

www^^^ sun-heraid^^^^com

Paae 14

To purchase more than your free 30 words,

at $2.00 per word, please call 1-800-234-5120

For customer service, call 1 -617-450-8773 or

e-mail us at charlottesun@placepersonal.com

404-0 u ye-4-1 IV, - -

Friday, April 15, 2005, Real Estate Classified

3020 PERSONALS 4000 5054 CONTRACTORS 5100 HOME & COMM.
4 000 IMPROVE.

2110 PART TIME/
TEMPORARY

WEEKENDS ONLY

The perfect opportunity to
earn extra income as a
WEEKEND CONTRAC-
TOR for Sun Newspa-
pers. Call toll free 1-877-
818-6204 Ext. #1317 ask
for Joe Gallimore.
Only a few hours Saturday
and Sunday early in the
morning and you're-done.
We pay weekly! Call right
away for this awesome
opportunity to earn some
much needed income.
Qualifications able to lift 35
pounds, valid FL. D/L, auto-
mobile insurance and social
security card. Must be at
least 18 years of age.

2115 HOME BASED/
BUSINESS
EXCELLENT INCOME
National Capital Funding
Group now hiring courthouse
researchers will train to work
from home on your computer.
No experience necessary call
1-800440 7234

Featured Position: Glass Workers
We are seeking Glass Workers to process glass before it is assembled in windows and doors. Necessary
work includes cutting, laminating, tempering, and insulation. The qualified candidates must possess
measuring skills and the ability to handle physically demanding work. Previous manufacturing, assembly
and/or construction experience a plus, but not required because we will teach you the skills you need
to succeed. If you have motivation, a strong work ethic and a good employment history, we want you
on our team! It's time.

Dresses will be available
for "FREE" to students
attending the 2005 Prom.
for more info or to make
a donation for prom tickets
Please call Linda Eaton
941-488-6726
Drop off at
VHS...
1 Indian Ave,
Venice, FL
34285
or Email
Undaeaton@
sarasota.kl2.fl.us

OAK STREET in Downtown
Arcadia is home to 20 Antique
stores with an assortment of
fine antiques, art, primitives,
collectibles and estate jewel-
ry. Come out and shop! Make
a day of it!
OLD BOOKS
MANY TOPICS WANTED.
(941)-575-6705
Tools- laying around garage
you don't need? Will buy all or
part. Any cond. 255-0048
WANTED TO BUY BOAT
'JNDER $S2000 n
;":,I rurnniin cor, .

SALE. HOURS:
MONDAY-FRIDAY 9Mam Spm IMCERTIFIED USED
SATURDAY 9am 6pm VEHICLES COME WITH:
SUNDAY 11 am-5pm A GM-acked Limited Warranty
24-Hour Roadside Assistance
NEW SERVICE HOURS: A 108+ Point Mechanical/
MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:30am 5:30pm Appearance Inspection
SATURDAY 8am 6pm isA ntee3-Dy -Mles
Closed SUNDAY ,Slfal n ar eii
SE*KA ESUKM
*WE GUARANTEE TO BEAT YOUR BEST DEAL BY $5001 Customer must present a local competilor'a
legitimate advertised price or written buyer's order of Identical vehicle. Must be In stock and comparably
equipped. Offer valid date of publication only. Corvettes and Duramax's Excluded. Not responsible for
typographical errors or photo placement errors. Arcadia Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile Is authorized to
buy competitor's vehicle at price presented by customer. If unable to do so, competitors will not be deemed
a "legitimate offer". Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. New vehicle payments based on a
48 month lease 12k mi/year WAC. All payments includes a $3,000 cash or trade equity. Used vehicle
payments based on 66 mos. at 4.99% WAC. 'See dealer for details.

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Run your photo classified
ad in RIDE, our new
weekly section for those
who feel that
vehicles are more than just
transportation.
For rates or to place
your photo ad in RIDE,
call 206-1200 today.

WE SELL NO LEMON LAW, Buy BACKS OR WRECKS!
LIMITED GUARANTEE ON MOST VEHICLES No CHARGE To Yok!o
FULL ON SITE SERVICE DEPT. To CARE FOR You & YOUR CAR
AFTER THE SALE!
NEVER A DEALER FEE!
FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1947
38 YEARS IN VENICE
S* NO HIGH PRESSURE, GAMES OR GIMMICKS!

(KRT) Q. As someone
who is on the list for a hybrid
Toyota Highlander this year, I
would like to know what I
will need to keep the car
powered. In other words, I
know that I will need some
gas and I also will.need an
electrical outlet, but any
other special requirements?
-M.M., Libertyville, Ill.
A. Our apologies to the
Toyota executive who we
insisted had been imbibing
too heavily after telling us that
many people believe you have
to plug in a gas/electric to
recharge the batteries.
The Highlander that goes
on sale in June comes with a
3.3-liter V-6 gas engine and a
large electric motor powered
by batteries. The batteries
recharge while you are
driving. No electrical cords,
no electrical sockets, no time

waiting for the batteries to
renew.
That's the beauty of a
hybrid over car powered.
solely by batteries.
By the way, Toyota just
priced the '06 Highlander. The
base two-wheel-drive model
starts at $33,030, the Limited
at $37,890; the base four-
wheel-drive model starts at
$34,430, the 4WD Limited at
$39,290.
Q. I'm the proud owner of a
Mazda RX-8. I read that
100,000 of them have been
sold, but I find that hard to
believe since I see so few on
* the road.
-T.V, Peoria, Ill.
A. The RX-8 went on sale in
the United States in June 2003
and slightly more than 38,000
have been sold in the United
States to date. However, about
90.000 have been sold

globally, and what you may
have read is that Mazda just
produced its 100,000th RX-8.
Q. I just purchased a 2005
Toyota Prius. It will be
necessary for the car to sit idle
for five months. What do I
need to do to assure the car
will start when it goes back
into service? The salespeople
told me I should disconnect
the battery so as not to drain
the system, then reinstall it
when I want to use it again.
I'm having doubts.
-S.W, Plainfield, Ill.
A. It would be nice if a
friend or relative could start it
and drive it every .once in a
while you are gone, but
Toyota spokesman John
Hanson said basically
disconnect the 12-volt battery
under the hood before
storage and recharge it before
reconnecting it.

Q. Shame on Buick and
General Motors for turning
LeSabre, a stylish and truly -
distinctive line, into just
another Japanese clone on
the Lucerne coming this fall.
"Wouldn't you really rather
drive a Buick?" Not anymore!
-D.I., Wilmette, Ill.
A. We called Buick and told
them to stand in the corner
with their noses to the wall.
Q. Do you know whether
Acura/Honda has plans to put
the RL's all-wheel-drive
system into the TL or Accord
soon?
-T.E., Woodridge, Ill.
A. We called and were told
that AWD is targeted more for
luxury Acura models than
Accord models. Yet, there are
no plans for it in the TL.
Q. It seems that every
automotive manufacturer is
using letter a suffix to their

car names, i.e. LX, SE, LE, LT,
ES, EX, etc. Do they have any
specific meaning and if so, is
.there a publication available
to explain what it is?
-D.A., Mobile, Ala.
A. These are designations to
denote equipment and
features as you move up the
line and in price and don't
have specific meanings.
Sales brochures orWeb sites
may say what the'letters stand
for but one automaker may
use SE to define special
edition, another SE to define
sports edition so there's no
rhyme or reason for the
letters.
Q. The Mercedes-Benz R-
Class that you pictured looks
suspiciously like a Chrysler
Pacifica. That's the badge
engineering everyone com-
plains about with domestics.
-L.W, Chicago

A. The Mercedes R-Class
that was introduced at the
New York Auto Show looks a
lot different than Pacifica in
person. And second-row
room is considerably bigger in
the R-Class than in a Pacifica.
A few years ago Mercedes
and Chrysler unveiled
crossover concepts at the
Detroit Auto Show that looked
so similar they were difficult
to tell apart. So a greater effort
was made to distinguish the

two from one another.
It's not badge engineering,
-which would entail sticking a
different logo in each grille.
It's platform sharing, which
means using much of the
same hardware underneath
that no one sees, and wrap-
ping it in different sheet
metal, or in industry lingo,
using a different top hat.